Rampant poaching of field sparrows in Birbhum because of their 'tasty meat'

KOLKATA: Forest Guards have identified a nexus of poachers operating in West bengal's Birbhum, who trap field sparrows and other small birds that are in demand for their "succulent meat" and sell them to local food joints.
Forest Department staff Bijon Kumar Nath said they'd received a tip that poachers had set their nets in a field Siwan village of Bolpur. Forest Department officials rushed to the spot on Wednesday evening.There were 10-12 poachers in the field who tried to escape with the trapped birds. It was dark by that time and though two poachers were caught, the forest officials were attacked by the rest of the gang, who rescued their accomplices and managed to flee.
Urmila Ganguly, warden of Birbhum Forest Department, said that poaching of the sparrows was first reported in 2009. Despite attempts from the Forest Department, the rampant poaching could not be controlled. But now, with the help of local village committies, the situation has improved, Ganguly claimed.
Popularly known as Bagheri, field sparrows are found to gather in large numbers in sugarcane and arhar fields during the spring season. They migrate from the Mediterranean region and frequent the southern districts of West Bengal during September. After a stay of six or seven months, they fly back during March-April. Seeing this as an opportunity, the poachers trapped the birds, which often end up being served as food in local dhabas and small eateries.
Environment activist Dinabandhu Biswas opined that field sparrows are in high demand among local foodies for their delicious meat. He said the birds devour on insects that are exposed after the paddy crop is harvested. These pests are rich in glucose and protein, which contributes to the flavour of sparrow meat.
Forest Guards claim that a large poaching nexus comprising of goons from Murshidabad has been running the illegal bird trade for the last few years. Local environmentalists as well as Forest Department officials fear a swift extinction of these migratory birds if poaching is not checked.
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