By Dr H Romen
BISHNUPUR, October 24: The laxity in imposing the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972- which prohibits killing and hunting of wildlife- in the state has resulted in a sharp decline in the migratory bird population in the state.
Migratory birds from Siberia and other countries that land at Loktak Lake during their migratory periods are trapped, poached and sold at local alcohol vendors attracting many customers.
The hunted birds are also sold in the local markets.
In this regard, this IFP reporter visited several villages around the lake including Ishok, Noarem, Oinam Keinou, Ngaikhong Khullen, Toubul, Khoijuman, Moirang, Thanga and talked to several villagers who allegedly poached wildlife and sell them.
The villagers said every year, the business of catching and hunting such birds and wildlife start from the month of November, however, this year, the hunting activities have started a little earlier since October.
They also revealed that such activities are carried throughout the year, although during other times, the bird population is negligible.
Identifying villages around the lake where hunting of such birds is practiced, one of the hunters said such practices are seen in the villages of Ishok, Naorem, Keinou, Ngaikhong Khullen, Toubul, Phubala, Kwasiphai, Nachou, Potshangbam, Ningthoukhong, Thinungei, Moirang, Thanga etc.
He said many of them hunt the birds for personal consumption; however there are others who sell the birds clandestinely.
The varieties of bird known in the local parlance as Tinngi, Uren, Uhal, Shurit and Nganu Kokngangbi and Chegaibi are the ones hunted most, he said.
The birds which migrate also include Lamnganu, Ishing Porom, Chegaibi, Nganu Shurit, Umu, Urok, Uthum, and Ushai.
The hunted birds are supplied to the local liquor vendors, he said before adding that the birds are supplied only to known individuals.
He said last year the birds were sold at around Rs 80/100 per bird, whereas this year prices have increase to Rs 150/300 according to their size.
Further, according to the hunter, the liquor vendors continue to serve the birds in their menus, citing that it attracts more customers and gets angry when the hunted birds are sold to others.
With the coming of winter, every variety of birds will be seen, he said.
Last year there were several birds which had rings inscribed ‘China’ or ‘Siberia’, he said before adding that there were days when a single hunter would catch three or four full fish traps which could contain atleast 60-70 birds at a time.
Sometimes, there are days when a single hunter could earn around Rs 2000-5000, which encouraged several hunters residing in the vicinity of the lake to maintain whole night vigil for the birds, he said.
Such individuals form teams of three or four of them together each and using local baits like loo, napak, khoi, haigutlang, he said and added that however, the birds are hard to capture, when the moon is out early.
During daytime, the birds are captured by poisoning their feed, he continued.
The hunter also alleged that several ministers, MLAs and government officers demand the bird varieties of Tingi, Ising Porom and Nganu Shurit and sometimes even pay in advance.
There are also people who demand these birds so that they could take it to the ministers, MLAs and government officers as gifts, he alleged.
He continued that there are several who talk against hunting such birds during public meetings and function, but stealthily come to buy the birds.
There is no dearth of buyers, it is only that the hunters are unable to catch enough, he said.
As for this year, the hunters are all set for their hunting trips, he observed.
The hunting of the birds that safeguards the balance of the eco-system could be catastrophic if not checked at the earliest.