Tourists use ganthiya to lure birds at Nal Sarovar

For local villagers,it means brisk business. They are making and selling ganthiyas to tourists for Rs 10 to Rs 20 for a 250 gm pack. Usually,these birds are shy but when they throw ganthiyas,they come close to the boat. To avoid getting caught,villagers move close to tourist boats and sell them their stuff on the lake.

Nal Sarovar is situated 64 km west of Ahmedabad,near Sanand town. The lake measures 123 sq km and attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter,and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

Thousands of migratory waterfowls flock to this sanctuary just after the monsoon. Winter migrants from the north include sea gulls,rosy pelicans,flamingoes,white storks,Brahmini ducks and herons.

Mahesh Devipujak,a teenage boy who sells ganthiya in his small boat in the lake to tourists,said: “I make Rs 400-600 daily. These birds are attracted to ganthiyas.”

The boatmen too are in league with locals.

Dr R K Sahu,superintendent of Kankariya Zoo in Ahmedabad,said,“Ganthiya or any such cooked food can be very harmful to birds as it has besan (gram flour),soda and mostly unhygienic oil,which is bad even for humans. People should avoid giving such food to birds. It not only affects their nutrition system but also affects their internal organs. We have completely banned any edibles in Kankariya for birds and animals.”

When contacted,deputy forest officer in charge of Nal Sarovar Sanctuary T A Patel said,“We do not allow anyone to sell such food. We will put a bigger signboard with warning for tourists against giving any food to birds or pollute the lake. We do not have enough staff to patrol the lake itself.”

Two held for shooting goose

Vadodara: Forest officials have arrested two persons for shooting a goose,a Schedule IV bird,near Vadhwana lake,about 50 km away from Vadodara. The region is home to many migratory birds. The goose was shot with a .12-bore licensed gun and the suspects were nabbed just when they were about to escape on their bike with the dead bird. The two have been identified as Taufiq Faizmohammed Sindhi and Ismail Sindhi,both residents of Sindhiyapura village near Vadhwana. The latter is a former policeman. Initial investigations showed the two killed the bird to eat it,said Deputy Conservator of Forest S K Jain. “Usually,villagers around the lake are helpful against poachers. They also realise migratory birds have been saving their crops from pests,” Jain said. He said he did not suspect a poaching racket. The fine for the offence can range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000,he said.