Bhubaneswar: Over a interval of final 20 years, a gaggle of poachers at Mangaljodi village alongside Chilika lake, has turn into a protector of birds, inspiring others of their neighbourhood. They’ve even shaped a chicken safety committee which the forest division is banking on to guard birds flocking to Chilika.
Round 15 years again, Mangalajodi village on the northern fringe of Chilka, some 70 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, was considered one of chicken catchers. Just about all species have been trapped or shot, for consuming or promoting. It was a profitable enterprise for some villagers who earned as much as Rs 30,000 a month by promoting birds.
Killing birds is an historic ritual in Chilika. Nets, traps and weapons all have been used. An area NGO, seen the decline of birds and tried to reform the villagers via cultural and moral arguments.
They’ve shaped a chicken safety committee in an effort to fully eradicate chicken poaching in Chilika, whereas some ex-hunters have turn into diehard conservationists.
In 2007, the state authorities awarded the Biju Pattnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation to the Samiti. The Chilika Improvement Authority recognised their efforts by adopting direct motion programmes with the Samiti to speed up change.
“We have been hunters, some 20 years again. Then below the steering of Nand Kishore Bhujabal we reworked. Our Samiti members and forest officers collectively conduct patrolling in and round Chilika. We get poachers caught,” the committee members stated.
“Among the youths of the committee have been educated as information to advertise ecotourism and earn a livelihood. Apart from, they’ve been engaged as drivers in energy boats for patrolling in Chilika,” they added.
The Chilika Improvement Authority has additionally funded a watchtower and guests’ centre. Remarkably, being impressed by the committee, some close by villagers have determined to type committees to be chicken protectors and lead respectable life.
With lots of of hundreds of international avians flocking each winter season, the forest division has made elaborate preparations for his or her safety. This winter greater than 11 lakh birds belonging to 183 species, together with 10.93 lakh migratory ones visited the lake.
Winged visitors from far off locations together with the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, distant elements of Russia, central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas descend on Chilka each winter for feeding and roosting.
These birds journey nice distances, probably as much as 12,000 km, to achieve the lagoon. It’s a freshwater zone with marshes, reed beds, and wealthy birdlife. They begin their homeward journey with the onset of summer season.
Evidently, these once-upon-a-time poachers have become guardian angels for the winged visitors!
