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Ahead of Amavasya, illegal sale of owl begins in Lucknow

Lucknow : Despite being banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, owls are sold secretly during Diwali. The reason is its association with black magic and its use by occult practitioners. Myths suggest that ‘Kartik amavasya’ or Diwali night is the most opportune period for tantriks to please their lord by sacrificing an owl.

The nocturnal bird is being sold openly at a local market in Nakhas.

PhD scholar and researcher on owls Daya Sharma said he had come across several incidents of owl hunting while in Musabagh Awadh forest range for research.

Vipul Mourya, a biologist from Wildlife Institute of India, said, “Poachers operate in collusion. Some of them steal owls from protected forests and others bring them to the market. It’s a huge circle.”

He added, “The cost of the bird depends on the number of links involved in its smuggling or how rare the specie is. Some rare birds like Indian eagle owl goes for up to Rs 1 lakh or even more.”

On Tuesday, the forest department conducted a raid at the bird market in Nakhas. District forest officer Manoj Sonker said, “We have been instructed to keep an eye on any such incident because bird trafficking is rampant for other endangered species too. We have identified certain areas which will be under surveillance.”

Tantriks believe it is auspicious to sacrifice owls between Dhanteras and Bhaidooj

The bird is killed to extract every drop of its blood which is drunk by tantriks

Bones and owl urine are used for other occult practices

Several people believe eating owl eyes gives the power to see in darkness
The birds’ feathers and nails are believed to cure illnesses
 It is also believed that anyone fed ritualized owl feather or blood will be hypnotized for life