“When the owl sings, the night is silent.

”
― Charles de Leuss

An incredible India, the country of different religions, people, foods and

colours. A country of sacred temples and proud mosques. The land of
contrasts, the beauty of history, the nuclear giant and the place where magic
works (if you believe in it).
Yet there are many untold secrets of this country, that make us feel that we
are still lagging behind, if are still left miles behind, waiting to be blessed or
cursed. One such untold story is the story of Owl poaching during Diwali, a
practice that is widely followed but scarcely known.
Many people consider owl, as sacred bird in Indian culture and a vehicle
(vahan) of Goddess Lakshmi but ironically, superstitions and false beliefs,
manipulated over the ages have created a demand for owls and their body
parts in black magic ceremonies.
People have always considered owl as mysterious bird, considering they are a
nocturnal species who can fly without making a sound, can turn their head 270
degrees and are efficient hunters. I remember how we were scared that if an
owl sat on your terrace at night, you will face sadness and misery.
Also, our television, movies and popular media channels have played a large
role in associating owls with magic by using props like hooting of owls or
showing them on-screen to depict surreal, mysterious or spooky scenarios.
Unfortunately, this association of owls and magic has led to myths and
misbeliefs about the species, which has in turn led to them being hunted.
Today, Owls are sacrificed on auspicious occasions such as Diwali and their
body parts used in ceremonial pujas and rituals, when black magic
practitioners, also referred to as tantriks, prescribe various uses for owls and
their body parts, including the skull, feathers, ear-tuffs, claws, heart, liver,
kidney, blood, eyes, fat, beak, tears, eggshells, meat and bones for prosperity
at home. What people don’t understand is how can u attain prosperity by
sacrificing other lives?
Owls are sacrificed during Diwali, in order to appease Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth and prosperity. It is believed that by sacrificing her ‘vaahan’ the
goddess is compelled to remain in their homes, thereby bringing them good
luck and wealth all year round.
Though exact number of owls traded and sacrificed each year remains
unknown, ahead of Diwali these incidents increase and take a more visible
ground.
According to past reports, the Indian (Rock) Eagle owl, Brown fish owl, dusky
eagle owl, Indian Scops owl and Mottled wood owl are five of the most traded
owl species in the illegal wildlife market, making them a target for poachers.
Horned owls such as the Indian Eagle Owl are most sought after as they are
coveted for their false feather ear tufts (feather extensions on the head) which
are considered to have mystical properties.
Also, the domestic trade of owls is highly lucrative and is prevalent at large
across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West
Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The bird markets in Chandni Chowk and
Jama Masjid are among the many places within New Delhi that cater to the
huge demand for these protected and rare owl species, especially during
festive seasons. The price of one owl can be anything from a few thousand
rupees to lakhs depending upon the size and species. Their wings are trimmed
and the birds are crammed into tiny cages, forced to live in horrific conditions,
only to be sold.
In many incidents Wildlife SOS have rescued owls from captivity and from
tantriks in Agra and other places. Wildlife SOS have saved their life before it
met a dark fate
For information, Owls are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, which
prohibits hunting, trade or any other form of utilisation of the species or their
body parts. Their international trade is restricted under the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Today, we are securing our place on international platforms, we are reaching
out for nuclear deal. We are a developing country with full potential. But, is
still bothered by very primitive and backward elements from within. The idea
of fighting with the black magic epidemic in the age of nuclear heads sounds
grotesque. It must be something done, it must be something changed.
So this Diwali, lets promise to take a step forward and curb the bizarre practice
of Owl poaching, which is hidden behind the glorious festival of light Diwali.
“Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the
game.”
---Paul Rodriguez