Four Youths Arrested for Killing Endangered Birds in Tezpur

GUWAHATI: Assam Forest department officials have arrested four youths for killing legally protected wild birds in Tezpur.

According to officials sources, the accused have brutally killed around 12 wild birds in the Depota area of Tezpur. Further, the accused were caught by the local people red-handed and later handed over them to the Forest department officials.

The accused, who are identified as Sunil Dhela, 27, Dipak Dhela, 24, Deben Kopi, 19, and Biraj Nagadwar, 25. The birds, they have allegedly, killed include 2 house sparrows, 4 doves, and 3 cuckoos.

The Forest officials have registered a case against them under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Earlier this month, a baseless claim kills nearly 200 egret birds, including newborn chicks, in the state of Assam, as the Municipality chops down trees and destroys the nests of the protected bird species. It was believed that the bird's droppings may transmit the deadly infectious coronavirus infection. Cattle egrets are small herons listed on Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. Cattle egrets are a kind of heron that is white in colour.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the state Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya to investigate the incident that occurred yesterday in Tangla town, Udalguri district. Following this, the forest minister asked Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Amit Sahai to investigate the incident and submit a report, who ultimately directed District Forest Officer Dhansiri to take appropriate action.

The Tangla municipality board sent a warning to local people on June 8 stating that a bamboo grove in the region, which had been home to over 300 cattle egrets, needed to be removed.

According to the civic body's warning, bird droppings have created an "unhealthy" atmosphere in the region, which may lead to the progression of the COVID-19 disease.

Also Read: Assam Civic Body Chops Off Trees & Nests Amid COVID Fears, Over 200 Protected Bird Species Dies

Also Watch: