Authorities fail to check killing of migratory birds
Sopore: The poaching of migratory birds by hunters is going on unabated in Asia’s largest fresh water lake (Wular lake) as people are voicing concern over the reckless hunting of the migratory birds.
According to people residing in various adjoining areas of Wular lake, the poachers shoot and kill hundreds of birds everyday and sell them at exorbitant rates in various market.
“The poachers use licensed guns to shoot them despite authorities imposing a ban on the use of these guns. The poachers are hand in glove with the officials of the wild life department as they fail to act against them despite getting several reminders from the locals,” Nazir Ahmad Dar, a local said.
“Once the lake was blooming with different kinds of migratory birds but due to their continuous poaching the migration of birds is shrinking every year,” he said.
He said that despite the authorities having imposed a ban on use of hunting guns but the illegal hunting goes on unabated with the poachers avoiding any action even today.
“The poaching is done in broad day light and the officials have been ignoring this brazen violation of the wild life act with a muted response,” said another local.
When ‘Kashmir Vision’ approached Conservator Wetlands, Rashid Naqash, he admitted that complaints have been pouring in about the poaching in Wular areas.
“I myself received some complaints regarding the unabated poaching of migratory birds especially in Wular lake. We have taken a strong notice and deputed a special checking squad in and around the Lake. I have given instructions to the officials to get tough towards these poachers and take strict action against those who are seen violating the wild life act by resorting to killing of the migratory birds,” he added.
Bilal Ahmad
