Manipur Forest Division seizes 16 bird traps in Loktak Lake anti-poaching drive

Imphal: As winter sets in, a good number of migratory birds, mainly from duck families originating in Tibet, Siberia, China, and Europe, start visiting Manipur's Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands in the state.

Consequently, bird poachers are lurking, waiting for an opportune time to trap and kill them.

The staff of the Manipur Forest Division, assisted by the police, acted on information about an attempt to trap and kill the winged birds and conducted an operation.

During the drive, the joint team recovered 16 bird traps in and around Turelmei and Kharung Pat (lake), the associated wetlands of Loktak Lake, on Sunday.

The drive was carried out by two teams under the supervision of Leishangthem Jeeceelee, District Forest Officer (DFO), Thoubal Forest Division.

It was led by Sundar Huidrom, Range Officer, Kakching Forest Range; Nameirakpam Bikramjit, Pallel Beat Officer; and Forester H. Sanamatum. Waikhong Beat Officer Brojen also accompanied the team.

Speaking in this connection, RO Sundar Huidrom said that migratory birds have started arriving in droves to roost in the wetlands of the State. As such, he urged people to refrain from setting traps to capture wild birds.

He also warned that anyone found trapping or killing birds and wild animals will be handed over to the authorities concerned for punishment under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Notably, last year, the most sighted visiting birds (ducks) were the Coot (Porom) and the Lesser Whistling Duck (Tingi), while lesser-sighted birds included the Northern Pintail, Red Crested Pochard, Gadwall, and Greater Scaup.