Berhampur: At least three poachers were arrested by wildlife personnel near Sorana under the Tangi range for allegedly hunting migratory birds in Chilika Lake in Odisha, officials said today.
Wildlife personnel seized at least nine dead birds of different species and a live bird along with a boat, a trap net and a mobile set from the trio, said divisional forest officer, Chilika wildlife division, Bikash Ranjan Dash.
The accused, arrested on Sunday evening, were identified as Kusha Behera (32) Sikara Behera (30) and Dandapani Behera (32) of Kaudikhani village.
The dead birds included three coots, three shovellers, two wigeons and one jacana. The live bird, identified as a jacana, was released after being seized from the poachers.
"The poachers might have trapped the birds in the lake. Wildlife personnel caught them red-handed during patrolling," Dash added.
With this incident, over 80 migratory birds have been killed by poachers in Chilika, the biggest waterfowl habitat in the country, in the last two months.
As many as 13 persons were arrested on charges of hunting migratory birds. The poachers are seen to be very active in the lake as there is a high demand for waterfowl meat in nearby towns, officials said.
Apprehending that poaching of birds may increase further before the New Year, wildlife officials have intensified patrolling in the area.
"We have set up 19 temporary camps to prevent poaching of birds in the lake," said the DFO.
"While cases of poaching were reported from the Tangi wildlife range, no such report was received from the Nalabana bird sanctuary area, where most migratory birds take shelter," he said.
Wildlife authorities have also imposed a ban on entry of visitors and researchers into Nalabana for two weeks from December 25 to January 10 for the annual bird count.