Several bird-trapping nets allegedly set up by poachers were removed from the Khamenbi Lamyai wetland area under Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district today during a joint wildlife protection drive by the Joint Co-ordination Committee on Wildlife & Biodiversity (JCCWB) and the Mayang Imphal Forest Beat Office.
According to JCCWB convenor Romesh Ningthoujam, the team acted on information that bird-trapping nets had been laid in paddy fields around the wetland to catch birds.
The operation was led by JCCWB active member from Mayang Imphal, Shrinibash Waikhom, along with personnel of the Mayang Imphal Forest Beat Office. The team removed the nets found at the site, which were later burnt and destroyed in front of the Forest Beat Office.
Ningthoujam said the drive followed reports of widespread trapping and killing of birds using nets and air guns in and around wetland areas of Mayang Imphal. Traces indicating the laying of bird-trapping nets were also found at several locations during the operation.
He appealed to people to stop trapping and killing wild birds, warning that anyone caught in the act could face action under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
“Let us love and protect our wild birds. Without them, humans cannot maintain ecological balance,” he said, stressing the importance of protecting bird habitats and biodiversity.
The JCCWB said similar drives would continue as part of efforts to curb illegal bird trapping and protect wetlands and wildlife in Manipur.