Authorities in Haryana's Nuh district have launched a crackdown on the illegal poaching of migratory birds at the ecologically significant Akera-Kotla Lake. This action follows the registration of a formal First Information Report (FIR) based on complaints that hunters were using nets to trap birds during the winter season.
Legal Action and Immediate Response
Acting on a written complaint filed by wildlife inspector Rajnish Kumar, the Akera police station lodged the case under Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Police officials confirmed that an investigation was initiated promptly, with teams being sent to the site immediately.
Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) RK Jangra provided details of the enforcement steps. "The FIR has been registered against unknown persons, and around 15 forest staff members have been deployed to remove illegal nets from the lake," he stated. He added that field operations were actively underway to curb the illegal activity.
A Critical Habitat Under Threat
The complaint highlighted that Akera-Kotla Lake, which spreads over nearly 108 acres in the Aravalli region, is a vital wintering ground that attracts a large number of migratory birds. This very characteristic makes it a recurring target for poachers. Officials expressed concern that such netting activities pose a severe threat to rare and protected bird species.
According to forest department officials, some local residents allegedly hunt birds for recreation or financial gain, selling them in nearby markets for Rs 400 to 500 per pair. Patrols were already being conducted in the area, and net-removal operations had commenced even before the formal FIR was filed. However, the sheer size of the lake, spanning several hundred acres, makes the task challenging for the enforcement teams.
Broader Context and Conservation Measures
This enforcement action occurs against the backdrop of ongoing proceedings before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Earlier this month, the NGT issued notices to the Centre and the Haryana government based on a plea by environmentalist Vaishali Rana. The plea alleged rampant bird poaching, encroachment, and a lack of legal protection for the Kotla-Akhera wetland, which remains officially unrecognised despite its ecological importance.
In a related earlier case from March this year, the wildlife department had filed a complaint against 23 people, mostly locals, for allegedly trapping and selling birds from Kotla Lake, including to hoteliers. Following past incidents, police had already been instructed to keep the area under surveillance.
To address the root causes, wildlife officials announced a multi-pronged strategy:
- Organising awareness camps in surrounding villages.
- Installing warning boards around the wetland.
- Continuing regular net-removal drives.
Currently, teams from the police and forest departments are conducting joint monitoring in the region to prevent further incidents of poaching and safeguard the future of this key avian habitat.
