Securing Safe Skies for Migratory Birds

Central West Bengal supports an astounding diversity of bird life. The abundant wetlands of the region and large swathes of agricultural land provide shelter and nourishment to over a hundred bird species. Many of these are winter migrants, arriving in West Bengal to escape the harsh weather of their breeding grounds. Unfortunately, there is a huge local demand for wild bird meat which endangers the survival of these birds in Central West Bengal.

A flock of migratory waterfowls flying over Bilkurul Beel (Wetland) in Bharatpur-I block, Murshidabad

A Hostile Home

Murshidabad, along with Malda and Birbhum districts is a hotspot for illegal trade in wild caught birds. This illicit enterprise operates year-round but intensifies from October, when migratory birds arrive, becoming the primary target. To catch the incoming birds, mist nets, spanning several kilometres, are set up across wetlands. The trapped waterfowls and waders are sold at local markets for consumption. Other bird species, such as owls, egrets, drongos also get caught in the net. But since they don’t have a demand in the market, they are left entangled in the net where they die out of cold and injury.

A Spotted Owlet entangled in a poacher’s net meant for trapping waterbirds and *Bogari*

In addition to waterfowls and waders, poachers also hunt various species of Larks and Pipits which are locally known as Bogari. Many of these form large flocks and migrate from central Asian and Trans-Himalayan cold deserts, only to be killed en masse. Fallow crop fields make ideal habitats for these birds as they prefer roosting in open lands with short, sparse vegetation. This makes them exceptionally easy to hunt. Poachers simply lay large nets over the birds when they roost on ground or stun them with bright light at night to drive them towards mist nets set up in agricultural fields.

Short-toed Larks or *Bogari* with a trader about to be sold to buyers

A Large-Scale Crime

Using his informant network Soumyadip Mondal, HEAL’s Zonal Coordinator in Murshidabad had been gathering intel on poachers and passing it on to enforcement authorities. This led to the arrest of one poacher in October 2022 and disciplinary action against two others in November 2022. However, following these initial arrests, HEAL continued to receive reports of nets present in numerous wetlands. As a result, the true scale of bird poaching began to come to the fore. What was initially thought to be the work of a few isolated individuals turned out to be a large-scale seasonal harvest of wild birds carried out by organised groups of experienced hunters.

Hunting and trading of native and migratory wild birds and/or their derivatives is a crime under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Partaking in such activity is punishable with a jail-term of up to 3-7 years and fine of up to 25 Lacs. Further, India is a signatory to the Bonn Convention and as such has the obligation to protect and safeguard migratory birds. Despite these implications, poachers were setting up nets, catching birds and selling them with impunity. The absence of fear of retribution and presence of support from local communities who were unaware of environmental laws had enabled these poachers to operate at such a scale and destroy the region’s spectacular birdlife year after year.

HEAL’s Intervention

In collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) HEAL implemented a Rapid Action Project between December 2022 and April 2023. The project aimed to mitigate bird poaching in Central West Bengal and curb the illegal trade of wild birds which are protected under the law. To achieve these objectives, HEAL undertook the following measures:

Surveillance

During the duration of the project, HEAL’s patrolling teams maintained constant vigilance over 25 wetlands and other bird habitats spread across 11 blocks in Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum districts.
These teams were composed of dedicated volunteers from the local community. Their primary responsibilities included conducting regular field surveys to detect and remove bird trapping nets; monitoring and gathering information on poachers’ activities and rescuing birds.
The patrolling teams were successful in destroying close to 40 kilometers of bird trapping nets and confiscating an additional 10 kilometers from poachers during routine field surveys. Furthermore, the teams also rescued over 900 birds including 30 different species.

Team HEAL along with local volunteers and forest officials surveying a wetland for presence of bird trapping nets

Team HEAL and our local volunteer team with the nets removed from a wetland

HEAL members extricating a Pond Heron entangled in a bird trapping net

Bogari rescued from bird poachers being released back to the wild

Law Enforcement

HEAL collaborated closely with the Nadia-Murshidabad Forest Department, the local police and the Block Administration. Intel acquired through diligent surveillance was shared with the enforcement authorities, enabling them to jointly conduct raids with our team and arrest bird poachers.
In an unprecedented development, a total of five bird poachers were apprehended. Local residents informed us that poaching activity significantly decreased after the arrests.
This strong message of zero tolerance towards wildlife crime acted as an effective deterrent in regions where the arrests took place.

A video of a joint raid conducted by team HEAL, Forest Department and the District Administration which led to the arrest of wo

A bird trader apprehended by the Forest Department based on intel provided by HEAL. Two Lesser Whistling Ducks and a Common Teal were found in his possession

A Bogari trader arrested in an independent raid conducted by the Forest Department and the local police

Sensitization

Systematic efforts were undertaken to raise awareness among local communities about the illegality of hunting and consuming wild birds.
These efforts involved conducting four awareness drives across Murshidabad and Malda districts and installing permanent metal sign boards at 18 locations in Murshidabad.
In a heartening incident, a local from Bharatpur-I block, informed our team about a potential poacher using the number displayed on one of the sign boards. Moreover, the arrests themselves also contributed to the generating awareness among the local residents.