Sindh wildlife officials recover ‘blinded’ Western reef heron

Over 60,000 wild birds have been recovered, released since March

KARACHI: A team of Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD), led by Inspector Abdul Qayoom Channa, intercepted two local poachers near Manchar Lake and recovered a reef heron from their possession on Saturday. With its eyes stitched and wings clipped, the injured bird will be kept at a rehabilitation centre until it is able to take flight again, while the poachers are let free unpunished.

No legal action was taken against the poachers. Not even fine worth a single penny was imposed on them. The Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972 doesn't protect wild birds, animals and insects.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Channa said that the poachers often use reef herons to trap other birds. "The birds are unable to move when its eyes are sewed," he explained. "But the poachers also clip their wings so that the birds cannot even fly for months," he added.

"It's a very common practice in the region," the SWD official said. "We can only recover birds but can't fine [the poachers] as there is no law [regarding it]," Channa disclosed. He also said that raids are not held regularly as the SWD team doesn't have any boats to trace the persons who illegally hunt wild birds and sell them in the market.



Speaking of the rescued heron, he said, "The bird is our special gift [and will stay with us] for at least next two months."

The bird, commonly called Western reef heron, is a local species and is found in districts located along the coastal belt, including Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal and Badin.

According to experts, there is high demand for heron's meat in small towns and its meat is even sent as a gift by some to their friends serving on top positions. Additionally, heron's feathers are used in art and craft.

Provincial Conservator of SWD, Javed Ahmed Mahar, said that the rescued bird will be shifted to a rehabilitation centre in Karachi next week.

Mahar said that most of the water birds, including cranes and herons are trapped and their eyes are sewn. "I can't take stern action against these poachers but will not allow them to trap these birds," he added.

Agreeing that there are the flaws in his department's laws, Mahar said that a new law was in the making. "The new law will provide protection to all wild birds, animals and even insects," he explained.

Interestingly, just six months ago, SWD had issued licences to trappers. But in March, the department imposed a ban on the hunting of wild birds, cancelling all the previous licenses, recovering at least over 60,000 wild birds, including sparrows, common myna, pigeons, quails, grey portages and others.

The trappers had filed a case against SWD for cancelling their licenses but the Sindh High Court dismissed the plea in favour of the department.

"No one dares to trap the bird now [easily]," claimed Mahar. "Our teams immediately take action if they find someone trapping wild birds," he added.

The conservator claimed that Sindh is the only province that takes action against trappers. "We appeal to the people to not to encourage these people by purchasing wild birds."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2019.