Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Man arrested for poaching migratory birds in Chilika lake
A man named Sheikh Mustak was caught by wildlife officials in Chilika lake, which is a big and important place for birds to live.
He was found with two dead birds, a motorcycle, and a homemade gun.
The birds he had are protected by law, and it's against the rules to hunt them.
The officials are very careful to stop people from hurting the birds, and they have set up special camps to watch over the area.
Many birds come to Chilika lake every winter from far away places to stay warm, and the officials want to make sure they are safe.
Sheikh Mustak, 27, was arrested for poaching migratory birds in Chilika lake.
Two bird carcasses, a motorcycle, and a homemade gun were seized from his possession.
The birds were identified as little egret and cattle egret, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Wildlife officials have set up 21 temporary anti-poaching camps in the lake area.
Thousands of migratory birds from various regions visit Chilika lake every winter.
- Who
- Sheikh Mustak, a 27-year-old man from Maluda, Puri district
- What
- Arrested for poaching migratory birds in Chilika lake
- When
- Arrested on Tuesday (specific date not mentioned), with previous arrests on November 18 and 25
- Where
- Chilika lake, Odisha, India
- Why
- To prevent poaching of migratory birds and protect the wildlife habitat
- Accused
- Sheikh Mustak, 27, from Maluda, Puri district
- Location
- Chilika lake, Odisha, India
- Seized Items
- Two bird carcasses, motorcycle, country-made gun with bullets
- Bird Species
- Little egret (Egretta garzetta) and cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
- Legal Status
- Listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972
- Anti-Poaching Measures
- 21 temporary camps set up till end of March
- Migratory Birds
- Thousands of species from Northern Eurasia, Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal, Russia, and neighboring countries