Intensive drive underway to protect wildlife

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Nov 14

Around 72 bird traps seized by the Kakching range from different wetlands such as Loushipat, Kharungpat, Khoidumpat, Pumlenpat and Moirangkom pat were burnt today at Kakching Lamkhai on the side of National Highways, 102 in front of Kakching Range office in presence of the media fraternity. 

Starting the wildlife conservation drive, a search operation under the guidance of range forest officer, Kakching district, N. Munal Meitei, forest beat officer, Waikhong, N. Brojen Singh, honorary wildlife warden, Thoubal W. Ramchandra Singh, wildlife warden, Kakching districting, M. Opendro Singh, deputy ranger, M. Biran Singh and N. Mangi Singh F.G. took part in the drive.

During the drive, four bird traps were recovered from Komnao village which is very important place for migratory birds at conjuncture of the Khoidum Pat and Pumlen Pat. Taking advantage of the darkness due to fogginess, the offenders were escaped. The members of Youth Organization, Komnao expressed keen enthusiasm to help the forest department to save the wildlife and migratory birds in future.

While checking the Moirangkom Pat later at the Western of Kakching Khunou village, 3 bird traps were again detected and removed without the offenders.

Again from Langmeidong Makha Pat, one trap was also recovered and removed.

Later altogether around 72 bird traps including the ones which were seized last year were burnt at the side of N.H.102 in front of the Kakching Range office. Media fraternity were present during the disposal.

The range forest officer, N. Munal Meitei said that departmental drives to protect the wildlife including the migratory birds will be started in the Kakching district from today onwards in a strict manner.

He appealed to the general public not to kill wildlife by trapping or poisoning. Further, he said that the office will start checking the transportation of birds etc. in market areas including the buses where the trappers make the women fish sellers carry the killed birds in their fish boxes.

The Kakching range office will start checking the hotels as they are suspicious of selling the cooked, fried birds and wildlife products.

The range officer further appealed not to burn hay stalks or start wild fires since they cause harm to our environment and ecology. If all the hay stalks of this district are burnt, then the pollution level of Manipur will be much higher than present Delhi, he said.