Porbandar: The forest department has nabbed 9 people for alleged hunting birds in famous Karli reservoir near Gosabara in coastal area of Porbandar district.

Karli reservoir also known as Karli-Gosabara, situated around 20 km from here is home to around two lakh birds. Many of these are migratory ones coming from other countries to spend winter here.

A forest official today said that nine persons were nabbed last evening while they were trying to hunt koonj bird (Demoiselle crane). Catapults and other equipment used for the purpose have been recovered from them.

They will be handed over to the Marine police for further action. They are said to be residents of nearby areas.

The official said the wetland is formed by Karli recharge reservoir and Karli tidal regulator, and comes under the jurisdiction of the irrigation department. They said that the census had estimated presence of around two lakh birds of 117 species in the wetland, which is also a nesting ground of waterfowls like demoiselle crane and others. Roosts of greater and lesser flamingos, demoiselle cranes, common cranes, bar-headed geese and grey-legged geese are found at Gosabara.

DeshGujarat