Rare bird killed in Manipur

The state government has come under fire from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), following an independent candidate who contested the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election in Chingai Assembly constituency in ukhrul district of Manipur.

 

In the first week of February, an individual from the same constituency Mr. Pr. Pamrei aged 53 shot down a rare winged creature fromthe thick jungle in his village and brought it to ukhrul district in Manipur as a gift to independent candidate Mr. Khashim Vashum.

 

The bird, which was sighted in the hilly thick village for the first time and drew a public spectacle as it was displayed by the roadside in Ukhrul town, looks like it belongs to vulture family. It weighs about 13 kgs and stands at about 4 feet, while its wings spread to more than 2.5 meters. The birds, seven in number have been spotted for the first time. Mr. Pr. Pamrei tracked the birds that were feeding on the carcasses of buffalo calf left in the thick jungle of his village. It was not an easy task even for the veteran hunter, who made the kill after more than 12 hours chase. He waited near the carcasses and got a chance with one of them when it was perching on a nearby tree.

 

Leaving aside the majestic large break Hornbills occasionally sighted in some villages of Ukhrul in winter, the brown feathered birds which have an eagle-like beak are a rare arrival and must have migrated from Myanmar. "I have hunted the jungle for years, but have not sen anything like that before. It could have come from Burma", Mr.Pr.Pamrei claimed. He said that the hornbills migrated from Myanmar are occasionally sighted in the village. The hunter’s migratory theory perhaps has some relevance.

 

Following the reported killing and presentation of a vulture to an independent candidate, MoEF has quizzed the state government asking if any actions have been initiated for killing the wild bird which is include under schedule 1V.

 

The chief secretary has received a written intimation from the Ministry of Environment and forest department has initiated due procedures to nab and penalise the individual who killed the wild vulture. Moreover, the department is mulling to file a complaint at court.

 

Commenting on the matter, environmentalist and Indian Bird Conservation Network, Manipur Chapter Coordinator Dr.RK.Ranjan lamented that the vulture was killed at a time when strong measures have been already initiated all over the country to increase the number of vultures.

 

At the Advice of the Bombay Natural History Society, Diclofenac which was used to treat sick animals have been banned in view of its ill effects on vultures. It has been more than 40 years since the vultures have not seen in the entire state he added.