Koraput: Mountain quails, found in the hilly areas of Koraput, locally known as Gunduri, are on the verge of extinction because of rampant poaching.
According to the Wildlife Protection Act, capturing and killing of these birds is a non-bailable offence. Despite this, poaching of these birds continues unabated in the area, particularly in Boipariguda block of the district.
A source alleged that authorities were not initiating any measures to stop the poaching activities.
Every year during November to February, post harvesting of paddy, these birds come to various paddy and ragi fields to lay eggs and to eat leftover paddy. But once the quails reach the fields, they get trapped in the poacher's nets.
"During this time one can find a number of poachers moving in the paddy fields with different varieties of locally-made poaching nets to trap the birds. At least 10 to 15 quails are caught in the net each time. Their meat is sold at the roadside joints to rural markets and haats (weekly markets) of the district," said Chakrapani Paricha, a wildlife activist of Boipariguda.
Each bird weighs about 50 to 100 grams and priced between Rs 40 to 50 depending on the size. During this season poachers trap and sell hundreds of quails. "Those who are supposed to protect these birds are taking no steps to stop the poaching. Local residents think that consumption of quail meat helps in dissolving stones. They say the meat is tasty, too. There is a huge demand of quail meat in local market for these reasons," Paricha said.
A source said that poaching of quails and selling of meat were common in areas like Dandabadi, Baligaon, Boipariguda, Doraguda, Dasmantput, Kathpoda and Tanginiguda under Boipariguda forest range. They allege that though the poachers sell quail meat openly, forest officials are silent on the issue. An official said mountain quails are included in Part III of the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
"It's not true that action is not taken against the poachers. Action is taken regularly but still a few manage to poach the birds in the interior pockets. We have launched an awareness drive to sensitise people not to poach the birds," said Boipariguda forest range officer Uma Mahesh.
"Recently, we tried to arrest a few villagers while they were spreading a net at a field to capture the birds but they managed to escape from the spot. However, we are on job to contain poaching activities," he said.
