Magh mela pilgrims asked not to feed migratory birds
PRAYAGRAJ: The forest department officials of Prayagraj district have issued an appeal to pilgrims and devotees coming to the Magh Mela-2021 to refrain from feeding the migratory birds flocking the Sangam area, following the outbreak of bird flu in various parts of the country, including in the nearby district of Kanpur.
The Indian Skimmer and various varieties of gulls are a centre of attraction in the Sangam area, as pilgrims feed these birds with locally made Sev (a variety snack).
Often, these birds can be seen sitting on the palms of visitors and eating the Sev. The feed is so popular among these birds that they can be seen following and hovering over every boat and the banks of rivers Ganga and Yamuna and fighting among themselves for it.
“In view of the bird flu, we want visitors coming to the Magh Mela, to refrain from feeding these birds so that if there is any case of flu in these birds, it does not get transferred to humans,” said divisional forest officer (DFO) YP Shukla.
The official further said that three teams of a dedicated workforce, who are experts in the behaviour of birds, are constantly monitoring the mela area and patrolling the habitat of these birds through boats and on foot, so that their health can be constantly monitored.
“Till the time the birds are swimming in water, are active and feeding along with a group, we know that that they are healthy but if a bird is seen sitting at one place for a long time, seems sluggish, it comes in our radar and we keep a close watch on such birds,” the DFO said.
Meanwhile, in an effort to protect migratory birds—predominantly Indian Skimmers and gulls that arrive in Prayagraj, especially at the Sangam and surrounding areas — the forest department has decided to keep a watch on them through specially formed nine teams throughout the district.
The department has also decided to undertake a special campaign to protect these birds in areas like Phaphamau, Shringverpur, Daraganj and Sangam by making locals aware of the need to protect these feathery visitors and keeping a tight surveillance on them.
For the surveillance, which commenced from November 15 and will continue till February end, these nine teams will patrol the land areas on foot and over the water, by boats. The teams will not only be trying to protect migratory birds but their nesting sites too.