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Locals to protect pigeons in Ilam bazaar
ILAM, DEC 14 - Everyday after 2:00 pm, the chowk of Ilam Bazaar is covered by thousands of pigeons, the symbol of peace. Transportation vehicles and pedestrians too are not given any way. Pigeons have become a pride of Ilam Bazaar.
The establishment of a trust in 1976 to arrange food for the pigeons give an indication of the traditional history that the trend of collection of pigeons at the bazaar carry. The trust was established with a fund of Rs. 211,000 at the initiative of the Marwadi Sewa Samiti.
The Ilam District Development Committee and Ilam Municipality too have been contributing Rs 25,000 each and individual Ratan Agrawal Rs 5151/ for food grains for the pigeons.
This trust has been providing 15 kilograms of maize and wheat grains everyday for the pigeons that come to the bazaar afternoon everyday, says chairman of Marwadi Sewa Samiti, Mahabir Agrawal.
Pigeons have been living here along with establishment of the Ilam Bazaar, says local Gopal Shrestha.
The increase in the number of the symbols of peace began as a result of the offerings made by people coming to local temples. Religious devotees set pigeons free as a offering.
However, the number of pigeons disappearing has also been on the rise.
Local, Yuddha Prasad Baidya, said a tradition existed that the pigeon offered, should not be eaten for meat but the tradition came to an end after the Mukti Sena came to Ilam in 2007 BS. Ever since, people began consuming baby pigeons.
Likewise, a dozen of pigeons are killed everyday due to negligence of drivers.
Any driver, found killing a pigeon here, are fined with 10 kgs of food grains but police has not been able to punish those guilty as they hide away their crime.
Likewise, cats and dogs and a type of fly are also responsible to bring down the number of pigeons.
However, locals here feel that the pigeons that have become an ornament of Ilam should be protected.Posted on: 2003-12-15 04:35
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