AGARTALA:
The High Court of Tripura has directed the state government to constitute a committee of senior officials who will be responsible for the protection and preservation of the wetlands across the state where migratory birds roost during the winter.
Chief Justice of Tripura Indrajit Mahanty and Justice S G Chattopadhyay on Sunday furnished the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Kawshik Nath after more than 1000 migratory birds were found dead at the Sukhsagar water body in Udaipur sub-division under Tripura’s Gomati district.
The court also found from a detailed report about the incident, that by the time the inquiry committee went to the area, they could find no carcasses of the migratory birds which itself is a matter of concern. The only carcass that appears to have been found is that of a common teal on January 28 and even then the postmortem could not be conducted on the said bird due to putrification of the carcass.
“In other words, no postmortem either of migratory birds or of local birds found dead has been in fact conducted. The report further indicates that some of the migratory birds were subject matter of target killing by the local populace and it is stated that possibly due to the fact that these birds who were grazing in the rice fields which had been freshly planted and the local farmers may have also contributed towards killing of these birds. In other words, they have highlighted the fact that the birds died due to `Man Animal Conflict’,” the order of the court said adding that the report also indicates that there is a possibility that the migratory birds may have consumed pesticide used by the farmers in the area but for that also they have no confirmed evidence and soil samples appear to have been sent for testing to establish the fact.
“In the present circumstances, we are of the considered view that as suggested by the learned amicus curiae the state should constitute a committee of responsible officers who shall supervise all such wetlands in the State of Tripura and in particular, the farming that is being done in the nearby areas and to try and encourage the local farmers to convert to organic farming as being promoted by the Government of India instead of using pesticides and/or chemicals”, the order reads.
The court said this committee should also include scientists and representatives of the Agriculture department. Of course, what has already occurred cannot be revived. However, it is a signal for the future unless and until the state and all its agencies coordinate their activities for preservation of rare animals and birds which are stated to have been declared to be “rare” birds by the European Union, the balance between man, nature and animals is likely to be adversely impacted, consequently adversely impacting nature itself.
The court also directed the committee to inspect all large areas of wetlands in the state to ascertain the challenges that need to be addressed and submit a report to the government for necessary action.
Disposing the litigation, the court also directed the state government to consult ornithologists and top environmentalists for their suggestions.
“The State would also be advised to include ornithologist as well as environmentalist to form part of the said committee to aid and advise the said committee in this regard. With such observations, this PIL stands disposed of”, the order concluded.