Stop the Hunting of Wildlife in India

Short toed larks are migratory birds (Schedule IV under Wildlife Protection Act and protected under Convention on Migratory Species) which roost in high congregation in selected paddy fields of West Bengal in the months of September to April. During this pit stop, the larks were being trapped by local hunters due to a high demand for its meat in local dhabas (food joints) and restaurants for eating in Birbhum, Bardhman and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal. Arriving in large flocks, these little birds feed during the day and spend the rest of the night on the ground of the paddy fields. Taking advantage of this behavior, the hunters drive the larks towards the long mist nets of fine mesh (placed on ground with attached bamboo poles) by making noise and flashing lights. Next morning, they collect these captured larks in large net-bags and transport them live or dead to local dhabas (food joints) and restaurants.

To address the raising illegal trade of short toed larks, a Rapid Action Project was initiated to form a network of informers in priority villages, identify the markets (where they are sold), reveal the gangs operating and reducing the poaching incidences in the targeted sites. Awareness programs were conducted in 36 strategic locations within the target sites. With your support, the field team in collaboration with the forest and police departments was able to stop five poaching attempts, apprehended seven poachers, seized several bundles of mist nets and rescued over 3200 birds. The seizure of mobile phones has also helped the police track poaching gangs in other districts of West Bengal. This has resulted due to the youth involvement in our sensitization drives conducted in targeted sites.

It is hoped that with local community having been sensitized and the methods of poaching groups laid bare, the Greater short-toed larks flock to West Bengal once again in September, their hunting and the consumption of their meat will both see a significant downturn.