Chilika, Nov 7: Wildlife officials intensified patrolling across Chilika Lake starting Thursday, fearing a rise in bird hunting on Chhadakhai, which falls a day after Kartik Purnima. Chhadakhai is a traditional day when people break their month-long fast from non-vegetarian food, and this year it coincided with the first Thursday of Margasira, when people traditionally avoid non-vegetarian dishes.

As a result, there was expected to be a significant surge in demand for non-vegetarian food on Friday, raising concerns that it would lead to increased poaching in the area.

Amlan Nayak, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) for the Chilika Wildlife Division, stated, “We have alerted field staff and have intensified patrolling across Chilika to prevent poaching.” Special attention was being given to vulnerable areas like the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, which attracts many migratory species.

In addition to patrolling, efforts were made to raise awareness among nearby hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries, warning them not to use meat from Chilika's birds. Nayak emphasized that stringent action would be taken under the Wildlife Protection Act against anyone found in possession of poached birds.

Patrolling efforts also involved checking vehicles suspected of involvement in poaching, including fishing boats, bicycles, and motorcycles, both inside and outside the lake.

By early October, migratory birds had already begun arriving at Chilika, with around 70,000 waterfowls from 69 different species settling in the area. To ensure better surveillance, the wildlife division had set up 21 temporary camps and deployed 11 boats for patrolling.

The heightened security measures aimed to protect the migratory birds during the sensitive season and prevent illegal hunting in the region.