A non-profit in Puducherry is turning notorious bird poachers into saviours of avian lives by offering them alternative livelihood options. The story of the transformation of these poachers, who used to kill migratory birds visiting the lakes in the city’s suburbs and neighbouring areas by shooting or poisoning them, could help the wildlife authorities guarding the famous Chilika lake in Odisha curb the menace of poaching in the lagoon.
Like the poachers in Chilika, who make money by selling the meat of migratory birds visiting the lake during the winter season, the bird killers in Puducherry, mostly members of the Narikurava tribe, sold the bird and bushmeat to their clients, including restaurants in the suburbs. They refused to mend their ways despite frequent raids and arrests by the forest department.
But thanks to an initiative funded by the Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF), a non-profit organization, the poachers are now shifting their focus to alternative livelihood options. This has resulted in many poachers giving up their old habits and helping with efforts to support bird species working towards conserving the rich biodiversity of Puducherry.
It was not easy to convince the poachers to abandon their traditional vocation. But they were sensitized and given alternate livelihood options and now they have turned into protectors of birds who help with work like making nest boxes for species such as spotted owlets, house sparrows, woodpeckers, coppersmith barbets and barn owls, among others. They no longer need to resort to poaching as they earn enough through these activities to support their families.
Armed with in-depth knowledge about migratory birds, their arrival and departure seasons at biodiversity spots, feeding habits, roosting areas and bird calls, these erstwhile poachers are now birding experts who can conduct awareness sessions on migratory birds. They are also leading nature trails and can be used as anti-poaching watchers as they have better knowledge of the marshlands and hunting routes used by poachers.
The authorities in Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lake which is also a major tourist attraction, can use the same strategy to wean the poachers living in the villages on the periphery of the lake, from their bad habits. The poachers, who kill birds for the sake of money, need to be convinced that there are alternative ways of making a decent living and that by killing birds they are actually causing lasting damage to the environment of the lake.
The authorities in the past have conducted awareness camps to sensitize the poachers while simultaneously stepping up patrolling in the lake area. But the results, so far, have not been encouraging. Poaching in Chilika is unlikely to end unless the basic issue of livelihood of the people living in the lake area is addressed.
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