Lucknow, Amrit Vichar: Due to the demand of owls in Tantramantra puja, the risk of their hunting increases. Due to this, the Forest Department has become alert regarding the safety of owls. Instructions have been given for special vigilance in picnic spots and Malihabad area along with the forest adjacent to Lucknow. Police have also been alerted to stop smuggling of owls. According to departmental officials, vigil has also been increased in Dudhwa and other tiger reserves of Uttar Pradesh. Most of the owls are smuggled and brought from Uttarakhand. In such a situation, the vehicles coming from there are also being monitored.
Let us tell you that smugglers have already been caught for smuggling owls in Lucknow. Two pairs of barn owls were caught near the Polytechnic. These owls kept in a cage were being taken to Mumbai. The police caught it and handed it over to Lucknow Zoological Park. There these owls were kept in a nocturnal house. Even after this, owls were freed near Lakhimpur, Sitapur and Rae Bareli. According to departmental officials, people use owls for tantramantra and tricks. It is believed that using owl in Tantra worship brings blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. Due to this their demand increases. Each owl is sold for Rs 20 thousand to Rs 1 lakh. Forest department officials have issued an alert regarding the owl. Vigil has been increased at all places. The bird market located at Nakhas in Lucknow is also being monitored.
According to Dr. Utkarsh Shukla, chief wildlife doctor and wildlife expert of Lucknow Zoological Park, every year on Diwali, caution has to be taken regarding owls. Assistant Forest Conservator Piyush Mohan Srivastava said that the general public should also help in this. It is everyone’s responsibility to save birds. The Forest Department has issued an alert to stop hunting of owls.
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