Nuh reservoir: Rampant bird-hunting uncovered

A surprise visit by a birder to a reservoir in Nuh exposed the alarming illegal practice of hunting migratory birds — bringing to light the environmental threat posed by such unchecked poaching.

- Leena Dhankhar

NUH:

A visit by HT to the Kotla reservoir revealed a thriving black market for migratory birds, flourishing amid manpower shortage in the forest department and minimal enforcement of wildlife laws.

Kotla, a seasonal haven for migratory birds that travel from as far as Central Asia and Europe, is around 60km from Gurugram. Every year, thousands of birds make their journey to these wetlands, resting and feeding before continuing their migration. But what should be a sanctuary has instead become a hunting ground.

Rakesh Ahlawat, a birder from Dighal village in Jhajjar, visited Kotla reservoir, a prominent natural wetland, last Thursday.

"There were massive nets laid out across the water body, stretching over several acres. As I watched, I saw a man bludgeoning a trapped sandpiper with a stick. It was horrific," Ahlawat recalled.

Horrified by the sight, he informed wildlife officials and alerted local conservationists. Within hours, the divisional wildlife department deployed a team of 30 men to remove the nets and inspect the area.

Officials later confirmed that over 200 acres of land was scoured. Dozens of birds — including Eurasian coots, Northern pintails, red-wattled lapwings, little cormorants, and wood sandpipers —were found either dead or struggling to free themselves from the fine-mesh nets.