Thousands of migratory birds belonging to more than 16 species used to visit the Indian subcontinent during early eighties and presently the number has dropped drastically to hundreds. Now about 500-odd winged guest are visiting in our country, told an official.

“Global warming, pollutions and frequent bombings in conflict zones along their flight path are the main reasons behind the decline in the number of the winged guest”, added the official.

But the poachers- a stern threat for these exotic migratory birds- usually the local tribals claim they do it for quick money and have been active all along. This winter, they have been hunting since the past 20 days in the regions of Dhanbad and Boakro.

This season Bokaro district’s Tenughat, Chandrapura, Pichri, Hathia Pathar, Jamunia dams, Chandori, Nawadih, Gomia among others have reported sighting of various species of these migratory birds like ruff, black winged common teal, green shank, white and citirine wagtail, northern pintail, gargely, common coot, mallard, pygmy goose, pochard, red crested pochard and combed duck.

“We are very excited after seeing so many species of migratory birds this winter after a decade but stunned to see the brutal killing of these birds by tribal people,” said Anand Mahato, a bird lover.

He added, “In the early nineties thousands of visitors from Bengal, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar used to frequently visit these area, including Maithan Dam in Dhanbad, to catch a glimpse of the exotic birds”.

“But now poaching and Naxal threat has bring decline in the numbers of winged guest as well as visitors,” lamented Mahato.

Accepting that the number of visitors and bird-watchers has declined, the forest officials claimed that presently after several years the birds are back again. “The timely arrival of migratory birds is a good sign, but the hunting crowd is worrisome,” added the officials.

It’s worth mentioning that over 40 varieties of migratory birds in Coal and Steel belt bring in a windfall; for the bird trappers a large number of line hotels located on the flanks of the National Highway are also playing the role of butcher house for these birds.

As several hotels in the Coal belt of Jharkhand and further ahead till Sasaram, a large variety of the migratory birds particularly from the webbed feet family are readily available for lunch as well as dinner as good food. The increasing demand for the premium dishes prepared with the migratory birds has endangered the species of the migratory birds.

“We buy these colourful ducks from the local villagers,” confessed a roadside hotel owner on National Highway near Govindpur. “Presently I am dealing in lip-smacking curlews, Lalsar (Common Pochard), Ardhanga (Gargany) and Surkhab (Brahminy Shelduck)-migratory birds as good food though its demand is on rise these days”, he added further.

“Villagers come to sell it (all-time favourite Common Teal-Murgabi) on a regular basis and as there is a never ending demand from people passing by, we are compelled to sell the dishes prepared out of these birds,” said another hotel owner.

On the subject of anonymity a tribal poacher of Gomia said: “We lay nets early in the morning and wait for the Australian birds to fall into our trap. “As they cannot run or fly fast they are our easiest target,” he added.

“Hunting is in our livelihood this winter, though we do it for fun and feast and to earn quick cash,” added another poacher.

He admitted: “We know if we get caught we could be sent to jail. So, we don’t go outside our area to sell the birds. We settle for anything between Rs 100 to Rs 250 for a bird,” a poacher added.

“The root cause of this mindless and heartless hunting is ignorance. To control the killing of the migratory birds, awareness among villagers on mass level — that these birds are our guests — is of utmost importance,” observed Anand Mahato.