LARKANA: Thousands of migratory birds have started migrating to the famous lakes of Kambar-Shahdadkot district with the coming of winter.
The birds are coming to these lakes from Russia, Uzbekistan, Siberia and other countries after their original habitats, including seawater and water ponds, became covered with snow.
The Sindh wildlife department has made strict arrangements this year to prevent illegal hunting of these birds which travel thousands of kilometres and reach here for survival.
These birds start reaching at Langh, Drigh, Saroh and Hamal lakes before November every year and stay there up to April during which they breed, raise their hatchlings and maintain habitats. They then fly back to their respective areas at the end of winter.
During sunshine hours, the birds remain confined to the lakes for fear of being hunted. They come out during the night and fly to paddy crops and harvested fields to feed themselves on leftover grains.
A habitual hunter, on condition of anonymity, told media on Friday that the hunters used to earn millions of rupees during the season by hunting these migratory birds, but the government has taken strict measures to prevent this practice this year. He said that the hunters used to catch these birds using guns and nets and sold them openly on highways for prices ranging from Rs 800 to 3000.
Game inspector Sher Muhammad Mugheri, who is in charge of the Kambar-Shahdadkot district, said that birds have started arriving at the lakes and that they have made tight arrangements for their protection against unlawful hunting. He said that the wildlife department has arranged rice, paddy and other food items for the birds so that the guest birds do not face starvation. He said that abundant food has been supplied for the birds, adding that the responsible persons of the various lakes had also been supplied with these food items.
Sikander Ali Khichi, who is the personnel in charge of Langh Lake, said that complete ban has been imposed on hunting and no hunter is being allowed up to three square kilometres around the lake. He added that guns and nets were strictly banned in and around the lakes and that this was being vigorously implemented. Round-the-clock vigilance is being observed in the area, and several hunters who tried to hunt birds during the nights have been arrested while their game has been released back to nature, he said.
Talking to the media, bird lovers including Khamiso Khan, Zahid Hussain, Jeeal, Ghulam Ali, Fayyaz, Saddam and others said that a complete ban must be implemented on the hunting of these migratory birds and those involved in the practice must be brought to justice. They added that many tourists frequented these lakes but there were no proper arrangements for them. They said that roads should be built in the area, while basic necessities like water, electricity, boats, beautiful huts and telescopes should be provided at the lakes to attract nature lovers and their families.