Over 20 Indian cormorant chicks die during tree felling

A case has been registered against a contractor for negligence after more than 20 Indian cormorant chicks died during tree felling at the BSNL office campus here.

Some fifty other newly-born birds of the Indian cormorant species -- also called Indian shag -- were injured, an official said.

Bablu Khan, the contractor, had been engaged to cut three trees on the campus.

A case was registered against him under the Wildlife Protection Act, said District Forest Officer Ravindramani Tripathi.

The cutting was done carelessly, leading to chicks falling out of the nests, he said.

The forest department treated the injured birds and released them in the wild, Tripathi added.

District collector Bharat Yadav said, "The forest department was asked to take action under the wildlife law after the deaths were reported.

"The birds had their nests in the trees which were felled without inspection on October 21," he said.