Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government today said the population of turtle dove in the state is dwindling at an alarming rate due to indiscriminate hunting.
"The killing of the migratory bird in Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi and Samba regions has threatened the very existence of this species," a wildlife press release stated. It urged people not to indulge in hunting of these winged guests.
Locally known as `Kalmuha`, turtle doves are small birds greyish black in colour. They are considered friends of farmers as they eat harmful insects, which damage crops. "During this season, these birds migrates from plains to higher reaches for breeding...Due to indiscriminate hunting, their breeding cycle gets interrupted and as a result their population is dwindling at an alarming rate," the release said.