15 hrs ago
Fruit-Protecting Nets Kill Birds and Mammals in Bengal Orchards
Fruit growers in Baruipur use thin nylon nets to protect litchis from animals.
The nets can be hard for birds to see.
Many birds, fruit bats and flying foxes become trapped in them.
Volunteers found more than 40 dead animals in fewer than 10 orchards.
The area has more than 100 orchards.
Growers say damaged fruit can cost them a lot of money.
Officials say the nets should be removed after the harvest and that other methods should be found.
Forest teams are now taking down some nets and teaching growers about wildlife protection laws.
If the problem continues, the growers may face legal action.
More than 40 birds and mammals were found dead in nylon nets at fewer than 10 orchards in Baruipur.
The nets are installed to protect litchis from flying foxes and fruit bats but also trap several bird species.
HEAL said growers often leave the nets in place after the May-June harvest because removing them costs money.
South 24-Parganas forest officials have begun removing nets, visiting orchards and conducting awareness campaigns.
Officials warned that growers could face legal action and urged them to find alternative fruit-protection methods.
- Who
- Birds, fruit bats, flying foxes and other mammals were trapped; orchard owners and growers used the nets, while HEAL volunteers and forest officials documented and addressed the problem.
- What
- Nylon nets intended to protect litchis have trapped and killed wildlife in orchards.
- Where
- At orchards in Baruipur, South 24-Parganas, about 30 kilometres from the city.
- When
- The nets are put up in March, and the harvest season usually covers May and June.
- Why
- Growers use the nets to prevent animals from damaging valuable fruit, while removing them after harvest creates an additional cost.
Growers' Concerns
Wildlife Protection
Use of protective nets
Growers' Concerns
Growers say they need nets to prevent flying foxes and fruit bats from damaging litchis, and that damaged fruit threatens their earnings.
Wildlife Protection
Wildlife advocates and forest officials say the fine nets kill protected animals and that growers must use alternative protection methods.
Removing nets after harvest
Growers' Concerns
Growers reportedly leave nets up because taking them down creates an additional expense.
Wildlife Protection
Officials and HEAL say nets should not remain in place after the harvest because they continue to endanger wildlife.
Enforcement
Growers' Concerns
Growers told officials they were unaware of the relevant law.
Wildlife Protection
The forest department has begun awareness efforts but warned that continued violations could lead to prosecution.
Key facts
- Wildlife toll
- More than 40 dead birds and mammals were found.
- Locations inspected
- Fewer than 10 orchards were inspected by volunteers.
- Orchards in Baruipur
- The area has more than 100 orchards.
- Netting period
- Nets are put up in March and the harvest generally runs through May and June.
- Fruit value
- A single tree's harvest can reportedly fetch more than ₹50,000.
- Species found
- Reported victims include flying foxes, fruit bats, yellow-footed pigeons, fulvous-breasted woodpeckers, white-throated kingfishers and red-vented bulbuls.
- Government response
- Forest teams have begun visiting orchards, removing nets and organising awareness campaigns.
Quotes
A South 24-Parganas forest division officer
Forest department official overseeing the response
“The fine, hard-to-see nets are causing loss of wildlife. We went to a few orchards. Baruipur has more than 100 orchards”
telegraphindia.com
“I cannot put a number to the toll. We have started pulling the nets down.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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