JAMUGURIHAT, Nov 23 � Hundreds of Siberian cranes have flown into Barbhagia, Jamugurihat for breeding. The winged visitors come during May-June every year and this has been going on for the last seven years. After their chicks attain maturity, they leave the place in December.
At first, a lone crane comes to the village, surveys the scene and afterwards hundreds of cranes arrive, build nests in tall trees, lay eggs and rear their offspring. At dawn, the villagers wake up to the sounds of the birds as the avian parents train their young ones to fly. After that they leave the place and come back in the afternoon, bringing food for the chicks. The training of the young birds on flying and the feeding gives the villagers a beautiful, captivating sight. The birds cause no disturbance to the people except for the fact that a foul smell emanates from their droppings.
Sometimes the young ones fall down and die, and some people feast on their meat which is stated to be quite delicious.
Until now people have not killed any of them, but bird lovers fear that this love and admiration may not carry on for long. The department concerned must see to it that this beautiful avian species is protected from human gluttony.
