With Diwali approaching near, the demand for owls, red sand boa and turtles with 20 nails has increased once again as people are trying to secure these animals for use in Tantrik rituals said to bring great fortune to the person conducting the rituals.
Though the Forest Department officers claim to have declared a red-alert in the State, the strike by forest guards and subordinate forest staff has affected wildlife security and aided those trying to trap these creatures ahead of Diwali night considered conducive for occult practices. Dr Abhishek Singh, chairman of the wildlife NGO Endangered Flora and Fauna on Earth Conservation Team (EFFECT) said that the demand for these creatures has increased ahead of Diwali due to the significance of these animals in some Tantrik rituals.
“Apart from those seeking owls to sacrifice ritually on Diwali night, there are some who want the owl simply to earn money from showing it to believers on Diwali night. Owls weighing more than 2.5 kg, with reddish eyes and ear tufts like the rock eagle owl and the brown wood owl are in high demand with people ready to pay exorbitant prices. I also got calls asking if I could get the owls in Malsi Deer Park for a couple of days after which the bird would be returned alive. The ongoing strike of forest guards has affected wildlife protection considering the information I received about some owls being trapped at Haldwani,” he said.