Imphal: During mid-winter, several migratory birds—mainly from the duck family—arrive from Tibet, Siberia, China and Europe and begin visiting Loktak Lake, Lousipat and the associated wetlands in Manipur. However, bird poachers often lurk in these areas to trap and kill the birds.
Acting on specific information about attempts to trap and kill migratory birds, staff of the Manipur Forest Division conducted anti-poaching drives at the sensitive Lousipat wetlands, part of the Loktak Lake ecosystem, on Monday. During the operation, over two dozen nets, typically made of terylene and suspended between vertical poles, were recovered. The poachers, however, managed to flee the scene as the drive began.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Sundar Huidrom, Range Officer of the Kakching Forest Range. He said that migratory birds have started arriving in large numbers to roost in the state’s wetlands and urged people to refrain from setting traps to capture wild birds.
He warned that anyone found trapping or killing birds or wildlife would be handed over to the concerned authorities for action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Officials noted that last year, the most frequently sighted migratory birds included the Coot (Porom) and the Lesser Whistling Duck (Tingi), while less commonly sighted species included the Northern Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall and Greater Scaup.