Though the Forest Department has taken extensive steps for the security of the foreign birds thronging the Chilika Lake, the cunning bird flesh lovers have found out novel methods to elude the tight security measures. They have engaged small boys of 12 to 17 years age for poaching, as nobody would suspect them, said Forest Department sources.
It has become the reason of headache for the authorities, the sources added. Sixteen security posts were established and hundreds of people have been appointed in the area to check poaching. About 40 people, who were previously bird poachers, are now helping the authorities to check the illegal activity.
According to the forest officials, they have arrested Tulu Parida (13) on the charges of hunting foreign birds in the prohibited area. They seized six dead birds from his possession. Other two boys assisting him are yet to be arrested. Some years ago, five minor boys were arrested in this connection, they said.
Generally, about 100 species of foreign birds come to the lake. This year, the number of the birds is more than six lakh. But hundreds of these birds are killed and nabbed every year by hunters for meat. They earn a huge profit by selling these birds.
