MITHI, Feb 22: The members of the district council, Tharparkar, have expressed concern on the death of snake-bitten Tharis every year, besides an alarming rise in snake-bite cases during the last few years.

They explained that this was happening due to the ruthless hunting, trapping and poaching of peacocks, houbara bustards, falcons and other birds, which are the enemies of snakes and other poisonous reptiles.

They said that this had contributed to an alarming rise in snake-bite cases in the sandy region but strangely enough the officers of the Wild Life Department have continued issuing hunting permits for trapping falcons and peacocks.

They demanded the government not to issue any permit for trapping or hunting birds.