PUNE: There is never a worse time for an owl in India than during the Diwali/Laxmi puja period. Thousands of these birds are killed for black magic practices during this time. Ornithology experts feel raising awareness and busting myths is the only way to protect the owls.“No accurate owl census has ever been done. Therefore, it is difficult to correctly gauge the total number of owls that are captured, smuggled and killed in the country,” said Satish Pande, an ornithologist who started the Ela Foundation to spread awareness about the conservation of birds and fauna. “According to some reports, 70,000-80,000 owls are killed or exploited each year. The numbers are higher during Diwali and Laxmi puja in some places — like in West Bengal during Kojagari Laxmi puja. And these are just the records. The actual number could be higher,” he said.The lack of data on owl population is also the reason why only a few of the species are part of the ‘Red List’ of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Superstition and black magic associated with owls drive the spike in owl trade. Due to their distinctive physical features, some species — like the spotted owl or the mottled-wood owl — are more sought after. Even some religious practices are responsible. As the owl is considered the vaahan of Goddess Laxmi’s, some species are in high demand in West Bengal and Bihar. “In UP, there are even books detailing step-by-step guides to the black magic practices and their apparent benefits,” Pande added.In a 2010 report by ornithologist Abrar Ahmed — for Traffic India, an arm of the IUCN — UP was identified as a major “trapping area” for owls, besides West Bengal, Bihar and parts of Karnataka and AP. Many of these owls make their way to Maharashtra as well.“There is very little tracking of the owl trade by the law enforcement and researchers,” Pande said.His organisation is working towards explaining the ‘science behind the superstition’. Later this month, they will organise an owl festival, aimed at school students, in the semi-urban and rural areas where owl trade is rampant. The festival will be held at the foundation’s purpose-built habitat near Jejuri. “More than a thousand students have registered. They will be taught about owl behaviour and we will try to debunk myths,” Pande said.

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