Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Aug 22: Though the Department of Environment and Forest appealed to the general public recently from hunting wild pigeons through press releases in the local media recently, the agency has failed miserably to control open sale of Green Imperial Pigeons in various parts of South Andaman.
According to reports, Green Imperial Pigeons, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1927, are openly hunted and sold for consumption in the markets at Rs 100 per kilo in places like Birchgunj, at Rs 200-300/- at Chouldari and Tirur.
According to information, the pigeon protected as a schedule IV bird is openly hunted in different parts of South Andaman by people using air guns and other trap techniques. However, the Forest staff have turned a blind eye to the violation of forest laws.
Sources claim that the Forest Department has specific information of pigeon hunting but for reasons unknown the department has failed to nab the culprits.
“One can easily spot hunters gunning down Imperial Green Pigeons in different parts of South Andaman particularly during early morning hours. Though protected under the forest laws, they are then openly sold for human consumption in various markets at paltry rates. It’s strange that the Forest Department, despite having full knowledge of killing of the birds, has initiated no action against the offenders,” said some residents of Chouldhari.
Andaman Sheekha has videos as well as pictures of the Schedule IV Bird Green Imperial Pigeon that are being sold openly in the villages of South Andaman. Hopefully, the Forest Department wakes up from slumber and initiates measures to protect the Green Imperial Pigeons a schedule IV bird protected under the Wildlife Act.
Although field level staffs are doing their best but due to lack of support from seniors they are unable to yield proper results.
Sadly even after several attempts the PCCF was not available to comment on this crucial issue. As per the PA of the PCCF, the PCCF is too busy to answer such questions.
