People of Udaipur Khilpara in Tripura woke up to unpleasant Thursday as they noticed carcasses of a large number of migratory birds at Sukh Sagar water body today morning. Sukh Sagar (Lake of Happiness) literally emerged as a death bed for uncounted number of migratory birds.
Every year, migratory birds of different species fly down to Sukh Sagar during winter season Siberia and other areas – this year also there was no exception as the winged guests came at Sukh Sagar in numbers.
According to the villagers, the number of dead migratory birds at Sukh Sagar is around 1000 while the Forest officials put the count at few hundred.
“Carcasses of the birds are scattered all over the water body and it is very difficult to estimate the exact count. It seems that more than a hundred birds died”, Forest Officials commented.
After the death of migratory birds, scene at the Sukh Sagar became pathetic as dogs were seen fighting for the carcasses and feeding on the carcasses of beautiful winged guests.
Some of the locals were found busy in collecting the dead birds to taste the flesh of migratory birds.
“The reason of the bird deaths is yet to be ascertained, however, prima facie, it appears that birds died of insecticides used in the paddy field”, official sources said.
Speaking to the media, local people said that they had never witnessed such a scene where so many migratory birds were found dead at one go. They also informed the media that since today morning no more migratory birds were seen in the water body. Many feel that bird poachers are involved in this case.
Sub Divisional Forest Officer Kamal Bhowmik started an investigation. He also did not rule out the involvement of bird poachers.
Referring it as great harm to the nature and beauty of Sukh Sagar Water body, he said, Forest Department will conduct the investigation. Carcass of a migratory bird has been sent for post mortem in Agartala. The reason behind death of the birds will be known from Post mortem report, Bhowmik commented.