Forest dept to step up vigil on migratory birds, water bodies

Field staff asked to take samples of birds and send them for lab test

LUCKNOW : In view of bird flu cases in other states, the UP forest department has decided to trap migratory birds in the region and take their samples for lab test.

The forest department will coordinate with the animal husbandry department and identify spots for sampling. Water bodies will also be identified with the help of the local administration in each district.

“The field staff has been asked to take samples of migratory birds randomly and send them for lab test at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. If any bird is found dead, post-mortem examination will be conducted by the forest department,” said said Mukesh Kumar, additional principal chief conservator of forest, in a press statement.

Reports of bird flu cases have come from Kerala, Himachal and Karnataka. So far, no bird in UP has been reported dead due to flu, said the press statement.

“Officials of the animal husbandry department and forest department have already started field visits to check any unusual behaviour among birds and are sending their reports,” said the department.

“If any bird is found dead, its report has to be shared with the forest department or the animal husbandry department,” said Sunil Pandey, principal chief conservator of forests.

Measures have been taken at Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur zoos and Etawah Lion Safari. Birds are being supplemented with immune modulators. All visitors are being screened and even vehicles going inside the zoo area are sanitised and pass through tyre wash.