Wildlife dept gears up to prevent poaching in Chilika lake

Berhampur: Wildlife personnel have geared up to prevent poaching in Odisha's Chilika lake apprehending large-scale killing of birds for the ensuing 'Chhadakhai' day which comes after the holy month of Kartik.

On this day, Odias who forgo non-vegetarian food during Kartik indulge in large-scale killing of birds as the demand for non-vegetarian food goes up, including meat of water fowls in Balugaon, Berhampur, Khurda and Bhubaneswar.

"Patrolling will be intensified in the lake," Divisional Forest Officer (Chilika) Bikash Ranjan Das said.

"Nineteen camps with 90 personnel have been set up in the lake. They will be assisted by members of the bird protection committees," he said.

The anti-poaching drive, in and around the famous lake, which was launched yesterday would continue at least till tomorrow, officials said.