Monitor migratory birds : Environment Ministry tells states

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) The Environment Ministry has issued instructions to all Chief Wildlife Wardens in the country to monitor migratory birds and follow a set of guidelines in the light of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in Manipur.

The Chief Wildlife Wardens have been asked to step up surveillance and monitoring of any possible emergency arising out of the arrival of migratory birds in their respective states, an official spokesman said here today.

Besides following the guidelines issued earlier to work in coordination with the Health Ministry, Department of Animal Husbandry and other departments, all the wardens have also been asked to ensure that wild birds are not harmed during trapping and collection of serum samples.

All wild bird samples should be collected, packed and transported in collaboration with trained animal husbandry/veterinary staff and awareness should be spread that any sighting of a dead bird should be reported to the nearest forest/animal husbandry office.

Important sites, both within and outside Protected Area which are being visited by migratory birds, their number and species of birds arrived and approximate period of arrival and stay should also be reported to the Ministry.

UNI