Act against poachers, Bedi tells forest officials

L-G inspects Oussudu Lake following The Hindu report on large-scale killing of birds

In troubled waters: Spot Billed Pelicans in the Oussudu Lake near Puducherry face threat from poachers.

Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has directed Forest Department officials to take stern action against those involved in poaching of birds in Oussudu lake, a bird sanctuary jointly managed by Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

Ms. Bedi, who inspected the lake on Sunday following reports of poaching highlighted by The Hindu on July 19, said the department had been asked to take stern action against people found poaching birds.

The police and forest departments have been asked to probe the cause of death of fish in the lake. They have been asked to find whether there was poisoning or lack of availability of water.

The Lieutenant Governor asked the Public Works Department to free the channels bringing water to the lake from encroachments.

Facilities improved

She inspected tourists facilities and appreciated the repair work carried out to provide better facility for tourists. She acknowledged the lake’s contribution to the tourism growth in Puducherry.

The Hindu had reported on rise in poaching because of absence of any patrolling inside the sanctuary. The report had highlighted the absence of watchtowers and large expanse of unfenced area that had enabled poachers to sneak into the sanctuary for poaching birds.