Pigeon deaths get Singtam deliberating on civic scenario of town

GANGTOK, 26 May: A meeting was organized by Sikkim Motor Transport Workers Association, Singtam branch at Marwari Dharmsala. The main objective behind the meeting was to spread awareness regarding the impact of filth in and around the bazaar area that is affecting human and livestock health, informs a press release. The concern has spiked in light of the abnormally high mortality being observed in pigeons here.
The meeting was presided over by Dawa Sherpa and conducted by president Basibiyalo Samity, Mohan Pradhan. During the meeting, Newar Guthi president, TP Pradhan, expressed that choked drains and water logging is causing the breeding of insects like mosquitoes and other ectoparasites [believed to be responsible for pigeon deaths here]. Old houses that have pigeon nests are difficult to clean he added. He further requested all participants to extend all possible help to Para Vet of VH Sirwani in the control and containment work on pigeon deaths.

Retd Health Deptt Officer and representative of Sadvawana Samity, Rinzing Bhutia spoke of the sick pigeons that had collected near her house which were virtually covered with ecto parasites.
She suggested that all social organizations of Singtam extend all possible help to the concerned Department to root out the causative agent permanently. After studying their thriving mode all the intermediary factors like faeces, waste and dirt from their nest should be regularly removed. In this context house owner should be advised, she further suggested.
After this, SDF convener East District, Tenzing Sherpa expressed gratitude to the driver association for taking stock of the situation. Resource person of the day Joint Director RP/ FMD, Dr DS Tewari, drew the attention of all participants towards the need to initiate a massive programme on cleanliness to sanitize all pigeon nests.
He informed about the ongoing investigation at DI Lab for identifying the invitro changes in pigeons due to parasitic attack, the release mentions. Different organs may be observed for pathological changes in dead birds. Similarly DI Lab will also work on species specification and study of life cycle of this ecto parasite.
Considering the vision of Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling to make Sikkim an organic state, he informed that the department was avoiding the use of strong chemicals and was relying on Ectoparasiticidal Spray at present. However, he said, a permanent solution for the situation was to maintain good hygiene.
Dawa Sherpa summed up the meeting stressing on the need for actively cooperating with the personnel engaged in the control programme at Singtam.