In a major transformation at Chilika, Asia's largest brackish water lake in Odisha and the largest winter resort for migratory birds in the subcontinent, a group of poachers has become a protector of birds, inspiring others in their neighbourhood to follow suit. They have even formed a bird protection committee which the forest department is banking on to protect birds flocking to Chilika.
A decade ago, Mangalajodi village on the northern edge of Chilka, some 70 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, was one of bird catchers. Virtually all species were trapped or shot, for eating or selling. It was a lucrative business for some villagers who earned up to Rs.30,000 a month by selling birds.
Killing birds is an ancient ritual in Chilika, as old as its moonlit winters and flocks of birds. Nets, traps and guns all have been used. Wild Orissa, a non-government organization, however noticed the decline of birds and tried to reform the villagers through cultural and ethical arguments.
"The prospects of a respectable lifestyle, where they weren't treated like thieves and earned a legitimate income from ecotourism, appealed to them and they decided to be protectors instead of poachers," said Ramesh Behera, one such to have turned a new leaf.
They have formed a 'Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti' (bird protection committee) in an effort to completely eliminate bird poaching in Chilika, while some ex-hunters have become diehard conservationists.
In 2007, the state government awarded the Biju Pattnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation to the Samiti.
The Chilika Development Authority recognised their efforts by adopting direct action programmes with the Samiti to accelerate change.
"The Samiti members and forest officials jointly conduct patrolling in and around Chilika. They are providing information about poachers," Bikash Ranjan Das, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Chilika Wildlife Division, told IANS, adding that some of the youths of the committee have been trained as guide to promote ecotourism and earn a livelihood.
Besides, they have been engaged as drivers in power boats for patrolling in Chilika.
The Samiti functions like a well-oiled machine, holding regular meetings within itself as well as with forest staff on various issues.
The Chilika Development Authority has also funded a watchtower and visitors' centre.
Remarkably, being inspired by the Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti, some nearby villagers have decided to form committees to be bird protectors and lead a respectable life, Das said.
With hundreds of thousands of foreign avians flocking every winter season, the forest department has made elaborate arrangement for their protection.
Last winter 762,000 feathered guests of 172 different species had visited the lake, while around 719,000 birds of 158 species had visited the lake in the previous winter, despite cyclone Phailin that hit in 2014.
The wildlife division has set up 19 temporary camps in the lake while 10 power boats have been hired for patrolling. Forest officials and other forces have been engaged for patrolling in and outside the lake to prevent poaching of the migratory birds, the DFO said.
Winged guests from far off places including the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, remote parts of Russia, central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas descend on Chilka every winter for feeding and roosting.
These birds travel great distances, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach the lagoon. It is a freshwater zone with marshes, reed beds and rich birdlife. They start their homeward journey with the onset of summer.
(Chinmaya Dehury can be contacted at chinmaya.d@ians.in)
