Poachers turn sights on birds, lay traps on hills

Pune Mirror , Thursday, March 12, 2015
Correspondent : Mayuri Phadnis

From pigeons to peacocks, avifauna of all sizes are now in danger of dwindling away

While poaching of animals such as the tiger has sounded alarm bells across the country, Pune's feathered population is also under threat. Carefully hidden traps on the city's hills are entrapping birds both big and small, leading to dangerously dwindling numbers.

"We were conducting a cleanliness drive at Law College Road, when a local resident came and informed us about these traps," said Ameya Jagtap, a city-based environment activist.

On Wednesday, Jagtap, along with this reporter, visited the Law College tekdi. The resident had certainly not exaggerated. Amidst the forest patches adjoining the walking paths, at least 10 such traps were unearthed. Three of these were looped around trees with plastic or metal wires. A clay pot filled with water was hung on one of them. These traps are meant mostly for smaller birds, who alight on the branches and get their feet caught in the traps.

Jagtap, who is also into bird-watching, said, "There are Golden Orioles, the Gray Francolin and even peacocks in the area." Mirror also spotted pigeons in the area. The myth around wild pigeon is that its meat cures epilepsy. For bigger birds such as peacocks, thin metal wires were either entangled in the bushes or within the trees in such a way that they are completely camouflaged.

"Birds are poached mostly for their meat. Peacock meat is filling and can serve entire families. This is consumed by tribals and also given to dhabas where it is sold illegally. Peacock feathers are also a lucrative business. The Gray Francolin, locally known as Teetar, tastes similar to chicken, so there is a market for it," said Dr Sudhakar Kurhade, a zoologist."Sometimes, poachers train these birds to whistle which acts as a call to other francolins and they are trapped together," he added.

Bhau Katdhare, president, Maharashtra Pakshi Mitra, said, "These poachers need to be made aware of the implications of their activities. Even NGOs and citizens need to know not to buy peacock feathers or exotic birds."

When Mirror contacted the forest department, officials said they did not have enough manpower to patrol the entire city.

"We are trying to get more guards and also restrict access to the hills. We are also setting up fences to keep antisocial elements at bay. I will send my staff to survey the spot," said Satyajeet Gujar, deputy conservator of the Pune Forest Division. Later, a team went to survey the location. "These are old telephone wires and we think they have been placed intentionally. They will be removed by Thursday," said Devyaani Ruplag Punde, range forest officer of Bhamburda Range, under which the area falls.

 
SOURCE : http://www.punemirror.in/pune/others/Poachers-turn-sights-on-birds-lay-traps-on-hills/articleshow/46533180.cms
 


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