Assam: Poisoning kills thousands of endangered Spotted Doves in Barpeta

In a heart wrenching incident, thousands of endangered spotted doves were found dead across a paddy field in Mohammadpur, Jania under Barpeta district in Assam on June 26.

The incident that has raised deep concerns among the bird lovers and birding community suspect that the birds might have died due to poisoning. 

The birding community have suspected that people usually mix poison in their field so as to prevent the birds and rodents from eating away their crops and grains. Meanwhile, the people have demanded a probe into the inhuman act and strong action to be initiated against the perpetrators for their inhuman act.

Nagar and Sagar Ali, sons of Hikmat Ali of Mohammadpur in Barpeta district, have been suspected of mixing poison with paddy in their fields after the discovery of the bird carcasses in their fields.

The local people witnessed this tragic sight in the field with thousands of dove carcasses lying around. Some of the concerned villagers had also warned the farmers to not add poison as it might have a bad effect on the environment, and yet the farmers did not pay heed to their repeated requests, claims few others. 

People suspect that more than 5000 spotted doves might have died after consuming the poison mixed agricultural crops. 
Bird lovers and local people as well as various organizations have expressed concern over the incident of killing of the birds due to suspected poisoning. People believe that this inhuman act of killing birds just in order to safe guard one’s crops is utterly disdainful especially when the bird species are on the verge of extinction.

Also read : Assam Floods: 5 lives lost, over 150,000 people affected