In the thick of the security operations in trouble torn Lalgarh, a small group of 400-odd villagers in about 35 homes spent jittery moments. Amidst the bloodshed and bullets, mines and mortars, the village, tucked by the side of the metal road along which thousands of troops marched to Lalgarh, waited with baited breath for the worst to get over. For, the villagers of Kuldihi were worried about the flock of birds and bats that abound in the village. For many years now, this village of tribals has been following a stringent conservation practice, where everyone considers it his duty to protect birds and bats nestled in the thick foliage in the village.

Village elders say the conservation practice has been on even before the days of the British. They talk of how a British hunter was made to apologise for shooting down a bird in Kuldihi village and it marked the beginning of a movement that resulted in the villagers making a pledge to protect the birds and bats from poaching or any kind of harm. So when police and paramilitary forces raided the village, the locals never let up their vigil. Special village squads took turns to ensure there was no incident of poaching. “It’s been a bad phase but we are happy that no bird was harmed,” says a village elder.

Forest department officials and workers are aware of the community’s conservation efforts. “This is a unique and noble example. The tradition has been continuing for years and we all support it. Kuldihi village is home to a variety of birds and bats. The villagers protect them,” says Amiyomoy Dey, Lalgarh forest range officer.

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