Wular Lake poachers’ cover blown, 1 arrested

Bandipora, Dec 10: Wular Lake migratory bird poachers, long under the radar, have blown their cover after falling in the surveillance traps set up by the conservation authority.

“The group, long under the radar, had remained incognito. However, their cover was blown when CCTV cameras installed by the authority at various locations and on bird watch towers captured them engaged in the illegal practice of bird hunting near Banyari village on Saturday,” a zonal official of the

Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) said.

“On Sunday, our silent watchdogs helped us bust this group too with pictures clearly showing them carrying hunting guns. We have also obtained video evidence,” he said.

The official said that a group from Srinagar had been involved in poaching.

“Immediately after the group was caught, a complaint was filed with local Police for registering an FIR,” he said. “Then after Wildlife Department authorities took cognisance of the matter, following which raids were conducted at specific locations in Srinagar on Monday.”

Talking to Greater Kashmir, WUCMA Coordinator Ovais Farooq Mir said, “A person from the group has been arrested and evidence recovered. Others are still absconding.”

The officials said that they had reports of this group’s involvement in poaching but there was no photographic evidence.

The officials are also investigating if there is any involvement of locals in assisting the group in poaching.

“So far, only outsiders were identified on the CCTV footage,” they said stressing action to nab others will continue.

The officials said that CCTV cameras and awareness had helped curb 99 percent of the illegal practice.

With its low staff, WUCMA faces the challenges of bird poachers, although the practice has been largely curbed with help from the Forest Protection Force, Wildlife Protection Force, and Forest Division’s Territorial Force.

The migratory season in Wular began in late October and for the third consecutive season, rare bird sightings have been witnessed inside the lake, bringing cheer to bird enthusiasts.

Notably, Wular Lake, a Ramsar Site, in north Kashmir is internationally significant due to its ecological importance.

It provides a natural habitat for birds and fish, contributing to 60 percent of J&K’s fish production, besides producing water chestnuts and lotus stem.

Wular has 130 sq km of demarcated area, with 27 sq km being critically silted of which WUCMA has restored 4.5 sq km, besides willow infestation of 8 sq km of the 20 sq km, giving new life to the portion of the lake resulting in more migratory bird arrivals.