Now, drones to keep watch on birds, poachers

BERHAMPUR: The Forest department will use drones to keep a watch on migratory birds arriving in Chilika and check their poaching.

The department had used drones to track fire in Chilika wildlife division earlier this year. Buoyed by its success, the division decided to use drones to protect the migratory birds which start arriving in the lake from October, said Chilika DFO Amlan Nayak.

Protection of migratory birds visiting Asia’s largest brackish water lake is the top priority of the division. Poachers hunt the birds to sell their meat in hotels located in areas around the lake. “As poaching continues unabated despite several measures, we decided to use drones to keep a watch on not only the birds but also the poachers,” he said.