Coot falls prey

Coot not so common anymore poachers are posing a threat to common coot, which is being sold for its meat. The bird, known as bhagatdo, is found on the periphery of Ajwa and Simda lakes in Vadodara. According to sources, in Rampura village near Ajwa lake, a hunting party has set up its own marketing network which has customers relishing common coot for just Rs 35. Says naturalist Geeta Padte, "The poaching of these birds cannot be ruled out." R M Patel, deputy conservator of forests (social forestry) says: "The coot is a schedule IV animal, an important bird for waterbody ecosystems. Killing the bird or keeping it in captivity is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act."