The demand for owls increases due to legends and superstitions on Diwali. In the greed of getting a huge price, smugglers reach the forests to hunt owls. Because of this, the Forest Department has increased the vigil in Okhla Bird Sanctuary and other forest areas these days.
The Forest Department has made the nearby people and villagers aware about the possibility of smuggling of owls for tantramantra. Along with this, people have also been asked to give information about the people who kill and catch the owl. Two species of owls, Mua and Ghugghu, are found here.
On Diwali, due to Tantra-Mantra with the organs of owls, the price of their organs increases in the market. It is said that owl’s nails, eyes, beak and feathers are used for tantra-mantra. People also have a superstition about proving Tantra-Mantra on the Amavasya night.
Owl is the vehicle of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The forest officer said that there is mention of owl in many beliefs and hence every year on Diwali, people in search of owl prey reach the place where it is most visible, hence the forest department comes into alert mode on Diwali. Besides, separate alerts are also issued for forest personnel in all forest areas.
Let us tell you that the owl is a protected animal included in the category of endangered animals under Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972. There is a provision of minimum punishment of three years or more for hunting or smuggling it.
Meanwhile, Forest Officer Pramod Kumar said that owl smugglers become active on Diwali. People are ready to pay a huge price for its use in Tantramantra, hence the life of the owl is in danger during this festival. In such a situation, an alert has been issued by the department. Teams have been deployed to guard it in forest areas. Forest department personnel are patrolling the areas where it is most visible.