Kotpad: Rampant poaching of quails and inaction of forest officials would soon make the species disappear from this area of Koraput district, a report said.
Quails are mostly seen in natural forests of Boipariguda, Kotpad and Kundura regions of the district. The birds flock to collect the left over paddy grains from the fields following the harvesting season. Cashing in on the opportunity, poachers kill large numbers of quails during this season.
According to sources, quails remain inside the forests across the year except the winter season when they come out to collect food. Locals believe that consumption of the meat of this bird can cure several incurable diseases like epilepsy and gives relief to asthma patients.
With increasing demand for quail meat, the poachers are on a hunting spree at the moment, locals said, adding, a bird is sold for something between Rs 40 to Rs 70 in the local markets.
Though the hunters are on the prowl in SP Nuagaon, Kusumi, Satranga, Murgiguda, Batasana and Chandili areas, the forest officials don’t take any action against them as they receive bribes, it was alleged by locals. The poachers mostly sell the birds at eateries along the roads and at weekly markets of remote regions.
Unless attention is given for the safety of the species, it would soon disappear from the area, said bird lovers. When contacted, divisional forest officer (DFO) Aswini Kumar said the department has not received any allegation in this regard so far. Action would be taken once complaints are received, the DFO added. PNN