With migratory birds from far-off places having begun flocking to the Chilika lake, there are reports of bird poaching in the area.
Wildlife personnel on Tuesday arrested two poachers from Subhadrapur under the Tangi Wildlife Range and seized three dead birds of two species gadwall (two) and pintail (one).
The accused persons were P Bhaskara and P Sushant of Bhikaripalli under the Chhatrapur police station in Ganjam district. The poachers were suspected to have poisoned the birds, according to Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika Wildlife Division BR Das. This is said to be the first bird poaching case reported this winter after the birds arrived at the Chilka lagoon.
Around 40,000 birds of 60 different species have already descended in the lake. More birds are taking shelter in the 15-59-sq km Nalabana bird sanctuary and Mangalajodi areas, officials said.
The wildlife division has set up 19 temporary camps in the lake and patrolling has been intensified in and outside the vast water body to prevent poaching of birds, they said.
Sixty daily wagers, engaged for six months, are deployed in the camps while 10 boats have been hired for the purpose with the wildlife division having eight boats of its own.
last winter, 7.62 lakh avian guests of 172 species had visited the lake while around 7.19 lakh birds of 158 species had visited the lake in the previous winter, despite cyclone Phailin that hit the lake.