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Pak pigeons have few takers : The Times of India
If the spectre of war has triggered exodus of residents from the border villages, it has also diminished the chances of any takers for the rare species of trained pigeons that arrive from Pakistan in the border villages and are in immense demand among local punters.
If the spectre of war has triggered exodus of residents from the border villages, it has also diminished the chances of any takers for the rare species of trained pigeons that arrive from Pakistan in the border villages and are in immense demand among local punters.
The handful of pigeon traders in the villages close to Pakistan are saddened in apprehension of loosing a sound money making opportunity in case of any eventuality.
Many of them are completely dependent on this trade for their livelihood. Villages like Daoke, Gandiwind, Naushehra Dhalla, Bhaini and Bharopal have considerable number of pigeon traders who cater to the needs of punters from Ludhiana, Jalandhar and other parts of Punjab by selling them trained Pakistani pigeons.
Daoke, which is flanked by seven Pakistan villages on its three sides has about a dozen pigeon traders who keep their eyes trained on the Pakistani side for any incoming pigeon that may deviate from its flight path and is captured by them. Pargat Singh, another trader, said, ‘‘After the Army has come here a distress sale of pigeons' stock has begun as they fear that traders from other places would be reluctant to come to border areas.
The whole village is shifting and it is difficult to keep them with us." Nishan Khatri, a pigeon trader who owns about 40 pigeons including some precious ones from Pakistan, said that at times a Pakistani pigeon fetched thousands of rupees and the price went up if it had the Pakistan traders' stamp on its feathers.
Many of them are completely dependent on this trade for their livelihood. Villages like Daoke, Gandiwind, Naushehra Dhalla, Bhaini and Bharopal have considerable number of pigeon traders who cater to the needs of punters from Ludhiana, Jalandhar and other parts of Punjab by selling them trained Pakistani pigeons.
Daoke, which is flanked by seven Pakistan villages on its three sides has about a dozen pigeon traders who keep their eyes trained on the Pakistani side for any incoming pigeon that may deviate from its flight path and is captured by them. Pargat Singh, another trader, said, ‘‘After the Army has come here a distress sale of pigeons' stock has begun as they fear that traders from other places would be reluctant to come to border areas.
The whole village is shifting and it is difficult to keep them with us." Nishan Khatri, a pigeon trader who owns about 40 pigeons including some precious ones from Pakistan, said that at times a Pakistani pigeon fetched thousands of rupees and the price went up if it had the Pakistan traders' stamp on its feathers.