PFA rescues birds from Uchekon
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 15 2014: On getting an input regarding poaching of birds at Uchekon area, People's for Animal (PFA), Thoubal rushed to the area and rescued a large number of birds yesterday.

The PFA team along with police also apprehended four poachers namely, Khongbaltabam Brojen (45) s/o (L) Kh Mani of Uchekon Loumanbi Mapan, Phuja Tomba (22) s/o Ph Tekey of Lilong Turel Ahanbi, Haoreibei Alimuddin (30) s/o H Sabuddin of Lilong Turel Ahanbi and Nepram Brogendro (40) s/o N Kumar of Bashikhong Torban.

They were handed over to Singjamei Police Station yesterday.

27 spotted doves, including four dead birds, listed in Schedule-IV of WLPA, one Pied Myna and one large bird net were recovered from their possession.

As most of the birds were injured and wing feathers were pulled off, the birds are being provided medical aid at PFA shelter.

The poachers were fined Rs 5000 each by DFO Central Forest Division today.

In another incident, People for Animals, Thoubal visited Mahabali sacred grove and met the representatives of JAC of Mahabali regarding the recent cutting down of trees.

PFA would extend support to the JAC in checking the menace, said a press release.

Cutting down trees in protected forest area is a heinous crime which should never be forgiven, the press release said.

As per the Supreme Court order dated 12/12/1996 in writ petition (civil) No 202 of 1995, the area is a forest land.

Moreover, the area is an unique wildlife habitat for various wild animals including scheduled animal like Rhus macaque.

Thus, prior approval of Government of India is mandatory before taking up any activity at such places, the press release added.

Constructing a diversion bridge to minimize people's inconvenience is reasonable but not by sacrificing a sacred grove, it added.

Meanwhile, two eastern grass owls were rescued by PFA.

One Maibam Zoology Meitei of Bengi Awang Leikai found the bird in his paddy field today morning.

Oinam Babishow of Yairipok Laimanai found another owl in his kitchen garden.

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