New trick: Chilika birds killed by poisoned lily buds

--18 held, over 100 bodies of birds seized

BHUBANESWAR: Chilika, which is known as a hot spot for migratory birds in winter season, is now facing a new danger from seasonal bird hunters.

Migratory birds are under threat as these hunters keep hobnobbing in the largest brackish water lake of Asia and using new tricks to poach the avian species.

Forest officials said the hunters mix poison in the bud of lily flowers in the lake to kill the birds. They also use some traditional and modernised nets to capture the birds.

This dirty and dangerous trick of the hunters came to light after the Tangi forest range officers arrested one Arun Kaleshi for hunting birds near famous bird hub Mangalajodi area. Kaleshi confessed that he was using these tricks to capture dozens of birds in the lake.

Arrest of 18 bird hunters by the forest officials this season showed that poaching has been high in the region. The forest officials also seized six boats and more than 100 birds from the hunters’ possession.

According to Tangi forest range officer Ashok Kumar Das, the forest staff arrested Kaleshi and seized around 23 bodies of birds from his possession. “We have 17 base camps and engaged 70 employees to keep close vigil on poaching in the lake,” said Das. Environmentalists demanded that early steps be taken for the safety of the migratory birds in the lake.