Forest officials arrested two persons for allegedly hunting migratory birds in the Chilika lake and seized carcasses of as many as 60 birds on Saturday. The accused were identified as Mamtaz Khan and Noor Ali Khan, who were nabbed during patrolling by Tangi Wildlife Range officials at Chilika.
“While the officials were conducting regular patrolling near Sorana, a motorboat was seen trying to escape swiftly. When the officials stopped the boat and wanted to frisk it, two persons suddenly attacked them,” said Tangi Wildlife Range Officer Chudamani Murmu.
Four forest officials sustained injuries in the attack by the poachers. They were Forester Radhakant Hota and bird security officials Chandan Sahoo, Seshdeb Parida and Ramesh Parida. However, they managed to nab the poachers and seized carcasses of 60 migratory birds, 500 bullets, a gun and a boat from their possession, the official said.
Though the arrival of migratory birds has added charm to the Chilika during winter, rampant poaching of winged guests is a big concern among bird lovers.