A group has organised illegal night safari trips to Chengelpet for bird spotting.
What’s it about? A group has organised illegal rides and night safari trips at Madurantakam in Chengalpet to take pictures of birds. It has inconvenienced birds that come there to roost, like the species of harriers. Similar incidents have been reported in Wallajahbad and Mamandur lakes and other water bodies.
- To take the pictures, the groups stay once the sun sets and use flashlights to navigate and spot the birds. Other groups go to the Kaverippakkam lake to photograph species like the red-necked falcon and short-eared owl.
- Migratory birds feast on locusts and crickets. The groups enter because the lakes don’t have any water, and they bribe the locals.
Taking notice: A couple of weeks ago, locals informed the Public Works authorities about a group from Chennai. One official said since the media is covering this, officials will now monitor the movement of vehicles in the area.