In an effort to stop poaching, the state forest department is conducting a sensitisation campaign among villagers about protecting birds frequenting water bodies in their neighbourhoods.

“Forest department personnel of the Wildlife wing have met the Panchayat Pradhan at Kadamtala area in Rajarhat and villagers and discussed ways to stop poaching of birds in the local water bodies,” Range Officer Ullas Nath told PTI here on April 22.

“The Panchayat members told us that no locals were involved in such act and this may be the job of outsiders. We have asked them to be more vigilant from now on,” Nath said adding that the campaign would be a year-long exercise involving all stakeholders.

He said the birds, hunted by the poachers, included sandpipers, open-billed stork and mostly small birds.

Honorary Wildlife Warden Suchandra Kundu said, “The campaign is a continuing process involving locals to save the endangered avian species who are integral to the rich bio-diversity.”

She said that improvised bird catching nets set across vast water bodies as well as poisoned bait to lure fish eating birds in Rajarhat-New Town belt were confiscated last week after a raid by forest personnel.

“None could be arrested but we believe the poachers have sold the bird meat to nearby hotels and restaurants and hence there is need to sensitise villagers about protecting the winged species,” she said.

About 35 different species of birds flock to the area, according to a study.

“Under the schedule of Wildlife Act, catching and killing of a bird is an offence,” she said adding that people should identify the poachers.

About the situation in other water bodies, frequented by migratory birds, she said, “We regularly conduct raids across the state based on our own feedback from sources including media but we need to involve locals to make any drive successful.”

Nath said no report of poaching has been received from another large water body in Santragachi near Kolkata, which is frequented by migratory birds during winter.

Joydip Kundu, a Member of the state Wildife Advisory Board, said, “We need to make people aware to protect the birds from poaching.”