Campaign to protect migratory birds kicked off
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04 2012: People for Animal (PFA), Thoubal on Thursday launched a campaign to protect and safeguard large number of migratory birds which are coming to take temporary shelter in the State within the next few days.

Ornithologists said migratory birds belonging to more than fifty different species mostly water birds from China, Siberaia, Monoglia, and other Asian countries normally reach Manipur and land at their suitable habitats in October middle week and return back latest by April.

During its first anniversary held on the occasion of World Animal Day at Thoubal district headquarters, the self-explanatory campaign christened "Greet our Guest" was launched jointly by Legislatures Okram Landhoni, K Meghachandra Singh, divisional forest officer Kh Shyam Singh and joint director of Manipur veterinary and animal husbandry department K Gopal Singh.

" With the launching of our " Greet our Guest" campaign , all our volunteers have begun contacting villagers residing close to wetlands including Loktak lake and forest areas where the migratory birds would visit , for taking up effective measures to protect the winged guests," said Thoubal PFA vice chairperson AK Rameshwar Meitie.

"Our volunteers have already remained alert in an around Ekop pat, a wet land in Thoubal, to protect the migratory birds from hunting," he said.

Manging trustee of the animal lovers' body, Lourembam Bishwajit Meitie said during October to next year's March the PFA volunteers and experts, besides keeping sharp vigil to combat hunting of the migratory birds, would also hold a series of awareness meetings in association with local clubs, NGOs and village authorities , he said.

"We are so happy with the erection of a tower at Sugnu Tangjeng in the district by the villagers for watching and protecting the winged guests," he added.

Thursday's event came a few days after officials from Manipur forest department and wildlife lovers detected a flock Cotton Pigmy geese, the world's smallest migratory water bird species taking shelter at the historic Kangla fort in Imphal heart.

These little water fowls locally known as Pedakot were found in large number in the state about four decades back.

Thoubal PFA was instrumental in rescuing various rare animals and reptile species including Bengal Slow Lorries and Tokay Geckos from the hands of poachers and smugglers recently.

Students and teaches of various schools in Thoubal district attended Thursday's function.

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