Margao: Avian poaching had stopped across most lakes and wetlands of Goa although isolated incidents of bird hunting continued to be reported from waterbodies in remote areas of Salcete, which too, have now been brought under control, according to forest officials.
A few bird lovers had complained that shooting of migratory birds was occurring clandestinely at Durgatollem in Chinchinim and a lake in Velim.
"A lot of migratory birds visit these lakes and we have been informed that late in the evening, hunting in the form of game shooting occurs here," range forest officer (RFO) SiddeshGaude said.
Forest department staff patrol the area at around 5 am and after 6 pm from January till mid-April.
The department has also conducted awareness drives in schools in Salcete. "Cases of illegal sale of wild meat or hunting birds like parakeets and other protected species registered by the department within Salcete are on the decline," an official said.
Awareness seminars were conducted for students, including one in collaboration with Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). A field trip was also arranged to Durgatollem.
The department also provided students with binoculars and cameras to see various migratory birds.
