KORAPUT: Mountain quail, found in hilly areas of Koraput and locally known as Gunduri, is teetering on the brink of extinction because of rampant poaching.
According to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, capturing and killing of these birds is a non-bailable offence. Despite this, poaching of mountain quails continues unabated in the area, particularly in Boipariguda block of the district.
Sources alleged that the authorities are not initiating any measure to stop poaching of these protected species. After harvesting of paddy, these birds fly down to the fields to lay eggs and eat the leftover. But they are trapped in nets laid by the poachers.
"Poachers can be seen in paddy fields with locally-made poaching nets and traps between November and February. At least 10 to 15 quails are caught in the net each time and their meat is sold to roadside joints and at weekly markets of the district," said Chakrapani Paricha, a wildlife campaigner of Boipariguda.
Each bird weighs around 50 to 100 grams and priced between Rs 40 and Rs 50, depending on its size. "Locals believe that consuming quail meat would help dissolve stones in stomach. It is tasty too," Paricha said.
While the meat is being sold openly at Dandabadi, Baligaon, Boipariguda, Doraguda, Dasmantput, Kathpoda and Tanginiguda under Boipariguda forest range, forest officers are allegedly doing little to stop the practice. "Though we take action against poachers regularly, still a few manage to kill the birds in interior pockets. We have launched an awareness drive to sensitize people about protecting the bird," said forest range officer (Boipariguda) Bharat Sahu.
