Minister Directs for Active Surveillance on Wintering Habitats of Migratory Birds
1 min readShimla, Jan. 18 – Forest, Youth Services and Sports Minister Rakesh Pathania today while reviewing the measures being undertaken by Wildlife Wing of the Forest department to contain Avian Influenza outbreak in the Pong dam lake wildlife sanctuary expressed satisfaction over sharp decline in mortality numbers of birds since last few days.
Forest Minister directed officers to continue maintaining strict vigil and active surveillance on all wintering habitats of migratory birds in the state and to deal any unusual mortality in wild birds as per recommended protocols.
Rakesh Pathania said that ten Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of Wildlife Wing would continue to work in the wetland for collection and safe disposal of dead birds as per protocol till no mortality is recorded.
He said that total mortality count till date in the Pong Dam Lake wildlife sanctuary was 4936.
The Minister lauded the efforts of the Wildlife Wing and its field offices for taking timely and effective action in containing the outbreak and preventing its further spread to domestic poultry. He also advised the personnel involved in these operations to ensure all bio-safety measures for their protection against Avian Influenza virus.