Call it greed or heights of cruelty. Fishermen fishing in the lakes of Coimbatore are found to be firing crackers to drive away the birds that arrive at the lakes as they are ‘eating up their fortune’.

According to sources, fishermen fish in all the 20 lakes in Coimbatore district out of which eight fall under the Corporation. Fishermen breed fish so that they can catch them once they are fully grown.

The Covai Post had already reported that lack of phased fishing and zoning were posing a great danger to birds of wetlands that are found in the lakes all through the year.. Around 240 types of species have been spotted in the lakes of Coimbatore till now.

Around 40 varieties of migratory birds including Teals and Waders, that fly all the way from Siberia, have also been spotted near the lakes.

However, only deafening noise of crackers ‘welcome’ them.

M. Yoganathan, Coimbatore-based conservationist, said birds feel stressed out after being chased away using crackers.

“They will stop coming again if there are disturbances again and again,” says Mohan Raj of Save Coimbatore Wetlands.

Fishermen, another environmentalist says, also use dogs to chase away the birds. “We need to study on the impact of such activities to understand the risk,” he added.

Apart from using crackers, fishermen also make jarring noise using empty tins and by clapping hands during night times, it is learnt.

Reacting to this, an official from the Coimbatore Corporation said stern action would be taken against those involved in such activities. “We would fine them under the Public Health Act and imprison if required,” the official added.