This year, Chhadakhai, the day that marks the end of the holy month of Kartika when most Odias keep off non-vegetarian food, falls on Friday. The day marks high consumption of meat, fish and other non vegetarian items.
Keeping in mind that demand for meat could trigger large scale poaching of migratory bird, spotted deer and wild boar at the Bhitarkanika National Park, the wildlife personnel have pulled up their socks to prevent it. They have planned to step up vigilance in the park so as to stop poachers and taxidermists who basically wait for the day to make a fast buck.
Kanika ranger Akhaya Kumar Nayak said poachers generally kill wild animals such as spotted deer and sambar with the help of haunting dogs and trough laying traps of nylon net. They transport the meat slyly to Dhamara, Rajkanika, Jarimula, and Paradip locality where they get attractive cost for the meat. In black market the meat of wild boar is sold at Rs220 per kg, whereas venison is sold at Rs280, he informed.
Nayak said 22 anti-poaching squads have been deployed in vulnerable pockets to keep a close eye on the taxidermists.As the winter migratory birds have started arriving within Bhitarkanika National Park, the forest department has also geared up with a mechanism to save them from the hands of the poachers. 10 bird protection camps have been formed under Rajnagar forest rage and the DFO of Rajanagar mangrove forest and wildlife division has directed to intensify patrolling.
According to forest official sources, the poachers have evolved an easy way to catch birds which generally congregate at river inlets, creeks and nullahs of Bhitarkanika. They spread fishing nets in the area slyly at night to catch them. It also helps them catch fish. As there is no firing, the poaching takes place covertly. The poachers sell the bird meat at the local hotels at a range from Rs150 to Rs200 per kg depending on bird species.
Sources said ahead of the Chhadakhai, sea patrolling at the Gahirmatha sanctuary too will be intensified to restrict the trespassers.When contacted, Rajnagar DFO Kedar Kumar Swain stated that more than two dozens of anti poaching squads have been formed within the Bhitarkanika Park. The squad will be deployed till November 12, he added.