Open-bill storks. Picture by Himangshu Ranjan Deb

Raiganj, Dec. 21: The forest department this year will welcome migratory birds to Kulik with the promise of peace and quiet by keeping picnickers away from the sanctuary.

“We decided to keep the park off-limits to picnic parties because the migratory birds feel insecure in the presence of humans. We also fear that the storm that killed a large number of birds earlier this year might deter them from visiting the park this winter,” said divisional forest officer Ajoy Kumar Das.

Sanctuary staff said floods and storms take a toll on bird numbers. More than 15,000 birds had perished in the storm that ravaged the region in September this year.

The biggest draw of North Dinajpur, the 373-acre bird sanctuary offers refuge to migratory birds, some of which come from as far as Siberia.

The dominant birds, however, are open-billed storks, which are migrants from Indonesia and Pakistan. These birds roost in Kulik from May or June, raise their young and depart around February.

Hordes of picnickers from Malda, Balurghat, Beherampur and Siliguri descend on the park in December, January and February. Roaring engines of vehicles and blaring music announce their arrival and discarded bottles, plastic bags and all the elements that make up pollutants bear testimony to their visit long after they are gone.

“The pollutants kill fish in the Kulik river after which the park gets its name and the roosting birds find it hard to raise their young. People also raid nests to steal eggs or young birds which are considered by some to be a delicacy,” Das said.

“We want to ensure that birds do not stop coming here,” he added.