As Avian Influenza or bird flu continues to spread across India, its scare has started to grip the Palamau Tiger Reserve following the discovery of two dead yellow footed pigeons last year under mysterious circumstances, the cause of which still remains unknown.

The deaths had occurred in a span of just two days, but no one was alarmed then as bird flu cases had not been reported at the time.

However, Deputy Director of the north division of the tiger reserve, Ashish Kumar said that the pigeon episode was not repeated anymore.

Deputy Director of the south division Mukhesh Kumar said that more than the 169 species of birds listed in the tiger reserve, the migratory birds who come here during winters are more vulnerable to the disease.

He said, “The south division of the tiger reserve does not have as many wetlands where migratory birds can descend and the water bodies here are not suitable for them.”

However, the situation is different in the north division where a huge lake called the Kamaladah Jheel serves as the second home of large numbers of migratory birds.

Ashish Kumar said, “Migratory birds like bar headed goose, lesser whistling duck, common pochard, gadwall and black headed ibis, the Tibetan lark and others descend the Kamaldah Jheel. We are concerned for these birds and wish they retreat in the same number with which they have come here.”

Mukhesh Kumar said larks come to the Palamau Tiger Reserve in large numbers. “I am told people here net themfor consumption and sale.”

He said that the ground staff of the tiger reserve are out to foil such attempts.

Regarding the bird flu scare, environmentalist DS Srivastava said there are many poultry farms in villages of Garu Mahuadanr and Barwadih blocks, which are in the contiguity of the tiger reserve, and hence note of caution must be given to the poultry farmers.

Srivastava added that tribals are fond of keeping lots of chicken in the houses where safety measures are necessary to check any eruption of the bird flu.