Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=43868&typeid=2
Migratory birds mean manna for Tamenglong people
The Imphal Free Press
TAMENGLONG, Oct 24: With the arrival of winter season flocks of migratory birds have starting arriving in Tamenglong district, and the event is alluded to by the people here to the tale of God sending'Manna' to the Israelites during their journey to escape slavery at Egypt to Cannaan.
Usually, these migratory birds halt the nights along the Barak river valley and upper Irang river valley coast under Tamenglong district till late December every year.
During the outbreak of bird flu in Manipur many people believed that these migratory birds were carriers of the flu virus and there was a ban on the hunting of these birds.
In spite of many NGOs and the district administration issuing notices not to kill the bird, people hunted for this delicacy and even sold it in the open market last year. This year also people can get the roasted meat of these birds in the open market for Rs. 20 per bird or Rs. 50 for three roasted birds.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong said no steps had been taken as yet to protect and preserve these migratory birds this year.
However, the OC of Tamenglong police station said that to protect and preserve the migratory birds the wildlife department had issued an order for the protection and preservation of these migratory birds. Even though this year they did not serve any fresh notice, the previous order will remain in force to protect and preserve the birds till further notice, he added.
At present people in the district sell the roasted bird meat in the open market without any fear of the authorities.
One lady customer while buying the bird meat at a market, said that the roasted birds had less fat content but were all the same very tasty.
Another regular hunter, also said that they used to hunt the bird with the help of air guns and catapults. ?If we happen to meet a huge flock of birds we manage to catch even a hundred birds on a single day,? he added.
Migratory birds mean manna for Tamenglong people
The Imphal Free Press
TAMENGLONG, Oct 24: With the arrival of winter season flocks of migratory birds have starting arriving in Tamenglong district, and the event is alluded to by the people here to the tale of God sending'Manna' to the Israelites during their journey to escape slavery at Egypt to Cannaan.
Usually, these migratory birds halt the nights along the Barak river valley and upper Irang river valley coast under Tamenglong district till late December every year.
During the outbreak of bird flu in Manipur many people believed that these migratory birds were carriers of the flu virus and there was a ban on the hunting of these birds.
In spite of many NGOs and the district administration issuing notices not to kill the bird, people hunted for this delicacy and even sold it in the open market last year. This year also people can get the roasted meat of these birds in the open market for Rs. 20 per bird or Rs. 50 for three roasted birds.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong said no steps had been taken as yet to protect and preserve these migratory birds this year.
However, the OC of Tamenglong police station said that to protect and preserve the migratory birds the wildlife department had issued an order for the protection and preservation of these migratory birds. Even though this year they did not serve any fresh notice, the previous order will remain in force to protect and preserve the birds till further notice, he added.
At present people in the district sell the roasted bird meat in the open market without any fear of the authorities.
One lady customer while buying the bird meat at a market, said that the roasted birds had less fat content but were all the same very tasty.
Another regular hunter, also said that they used to hunt the bird with the help of air guns and catapults. ?If we happen to meet a huge flock of birds we manage to catch even a hundred birds on a single day,? he added.