Khargone (MP), Jan 2 : Panic gripped parts of Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district after more than 200 parrots were found dead along the Narmada riverbank with veterinary examinations pointing to food poisoning as the likely cause, officials said on Tuesday.
The carcasses were first spotted near the Navghat Khedi area under an aqueduct bridge in the Barwaha forest division. Wildlife officials said the number of dead birds rose sharply over two days, triggering alarm among local residents amid fears of bird flu. However, post-mortem examinations later ruled out avian influenza.
“Initially, around 25 parrots were found dead under the aqueduct bridge on Monday. By evening, the number increased to nearly 80, and by Tuesday it crossed 200,” Wildlife Warden Tony Sharma told reporters.
Besides parrots, several pigeons, diamond doves and sparrows were also found dead in the same area, prompting the forest department to collect samples and alert veterinary authorities.
Veterinarian Dr Manisha Chauhan said post-mortem findings indicated severe damage to the birds’ digestive systems. “During the examination, rice and small stones were found in the large and small intestines of the parrots. The digestive tract was severely affected,” she said. “Due to congestion, both the intestines and the liver had turned completely red. Based on these findings, we have given a preliminary opinion that the deaths were caused by food poisoning,” she added, ruling out cold or any other disease.
Following the incident, forest officials have banned feeding of birds in and around the affected area, suspecting that food offered by people may have proved fatal. Authorities have also not ruled out the possibility of intentional poisoning, citing frequent conflicts between parrots and fruit orchard owners in the region.
“Poisoning cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Sharma said, adding that further investigations were underway. Forest Ranger Nishant Doshi said he had been informed about the incident and was awaiting further instructions.
The mass bird deaths come at a time when Madhya Pradesh is grappling with another public health crisis. In Indore, at least 13 people, including a six-month-old infant, have died after consuming contaminated drinking water. Lab tests have confirmed the presence of fecal coliform, E. coli, Klebsiella and Vibrio cholerae in water samples, allegedly due to leakage in pipelines passing beneath a public toilet.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing in both cases.
