Namakkal: The Namakkal east district congress committee has opposed a state government proposal to establish a bird sanctuary at Idumbankulam lake in Mohanur Taluk, citing risks to the region’s poultry industry.Committee president Dr P V Senthil submitted a memorandum to the district collector L Madhubalan warning that a bird sanctuary near the poultry cluster could attract migratory birds from across India and abroad and increase the threat of avian influenza. “Even a single outbreak would force the culling of millions of birds, devastate farmers, disrupt exports, and destroy Namakkal’s reputation as a disease-free poultry zone,” he said.Namakkal, described as the ‘Egg Capital of India,’ built a poultry economy worth nearly Rs10,000 crore over the past five decades, sustaining lakhs of farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. The district is also a major hub for India’s egg exports. While acknowledging the importance of biodiversity and environmental protection, the committee said conservation efforts must not endanger a key agricultural and export industry. “The government should identify alternative sites for a sanctuary that do not compromise poultry biosecurity,” Senthil urged. He appealed for the immediate withdrawal of the proposal, stressing the need to safeguard livelihoods, the district’s economy and the international standing of Namakkal’s poultry sector.Collector Madhubalan assured that he will look into this issue.
