Migratory birds fall prey to hunters in Ballari district

 A rare population of birds that migrate to the backwaters of the Tungabhadra river near Bannigola of the taluk are falling prey to the nets of hunters.

Birds like Greater Flamingo (Rajahamsa), Bar-headed Goose (Patte Bathu) and Northern Shovellers (Chilika Bathu) are among the various species of birds that migrate to Karnataka from the Western state of Gujarat.

Thousands of these birds stay here for nearly 15 days  before flying to Chilika and Pulicat lakes in Orissa. The migration of birds is seen in the beginning of winter, according to ornithologist Ittigi Vijayakumar.

Local hunters and fishermen from neighbouring states are responsible for the en masse-entrapment of the migratory birds.

Well versed with the patterns of migration, they lay out nylon nets manually or by using motorised boats to catch birds.

Squad formed

In light of the unabated hunting of migratory birds, Vijayakumar has formed a squad consisting of the local youth. The squad visits the backwaters, protest against the hunting of birds and rescue birds that are trapped in the nets from the jaws of death.

Though the group attempts to spread legal awareness among those who hunt the birds, the practice continues to this day. “The Forest department must take strict measures to curb the menace of hunting. If necessary, legal action should be initiated against the culprits,” opines H Nagaraj, president of Buddha Basava Ambedkar Sangha.

Ittigi Vijayakumar, Ornithologist: The Forest department must step in to protect rare birds that migrate from across the country and the world. It should appoint security personnel to guard the backwaters between the months of November and March. Only then can the birds be saved from the clutches of hunters.