Hunters driving bird species into extinction

By R.Krishna Kumar

MYSORE, AUGUST. 25. The focus and preoccupation of conservationists on preserving animal species such as tigers and elephants have left the winged beauties without a voice to air their cause.

In the absence of activists to take up issues pertaining to saving the bird habitats, monitoring their trafficking and strict implementation of law, the hunting of birds continues unabated in the vicinities of the wetland bodies in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts, according to members of the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN).

Recently, three birds identified as Purple Moorhen were found beheaded and the feathers strewn around near the Lingambudhi Lake in Mysore, according to Mr. S.Ramesh and Mr. K.Manu of MAN. This is only the tip of the iceberg, and no one can be sure as to how many more birds are hunted either for food or for "sport", since there is hardly any trace left behind after the hunt. One need not venture into the distant jungles in search of birds. They are found everywhere and, hence, are susceptible to human insensitivity. While poaching an animal involves associated risks including procuring of fire arms, no such risks are involved in bird hunting, they point out.

The members of MAN, who spread out to select water bodies in the districts of Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar during the mid- winter water fowl census, note with concern the destruction and fragmentation of the bird habitat. According to Mr. Ramesh, the decline in the number of birds is not immediately obvious, and takes time before the focus of attention is drawn to their predicament. By then, it might be too late for a particular species which may have reached a "point of no return".

Early this year, activists of MAN fanned out across the three districts and counted the birds in nearly 110 identified lakes and water bodies. There were 1.25 lakh birds of 80 species. They recorded in their reports that hunting was one of the major factors threatening the birds in many large lakes.

The MAN members express dismay at the public apathy towards the decline in the number of birds over the years, and noted that it may be due to a possible acceptance in the collective consciousness of society that birds are a source of food like the country chicken. Hunting of birds for sport or for food is common in Kunthur and Kallur near Kollegal, Hadinaru near Nanjangud, Kagalipura, Lingabudhi, Narasmbudhi Lake and the water bodies near H.D.Kote. It is also reported in Sulekere and KRS backwaters in Mandya District.

Mr. Ramesh points out that another winged visitor from Ladak -- Bar-Headed Geese -- is targeted by the hunters because of their impressive size. Only about 1,800 of them were counted during the last water fowl census. The decline in the number of birds has also been attributed to unrestrained fishing in the water bodies as a result of which food supply in the form of fish in the lakes is gradually depleting.

During the course of their waterfowl census, Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Manu came across instances of individuals hunting in the open near the lakes in the country side. They cite the example of a person, said to be over 70 years of age, who has been trapping water birds since his childhood. He claims to have supplied exotic birds, including ducks of all species, such as Charle, Hebbathu and Parvathakki, to customers in Mysore.

Mr. Ramesh speaks of two persons from Mysore city, who are allegedly hunting for sport. Normally, such persons camp near the lakes and hide near the reeds. They shoot the birds and ferret out the dead birds from the lakes, he adds.

However, the crux of the issue is the lack of awareness among a large section of people about the fact that the birds that they shoot belong to endangered species. Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Manu say that though there is a law, little attention is paid to the protection of birds. By the time realisation dawns, it may be too late to prevent some species of birds from becoming extinct. The need of the hour is to create awareness among people about birds and their role in the natural scheme of things.

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