Rudrapur, Nov. 2 -- Forest personnel intercepted two poachers in the Sharda Sagar dam reservoir in Khatima of Udham Singh Nagar district on Saturday, nabbing one while his accomplice managed to escape, officials said. A total of 12 dead migratory birds were recovered from their possession. Every year as winter sets in, thousands of migratory birds travel from Siberia and other countries to roost in the wetlands and reservoirs of Udham Singh Nagar, including Sharda Sagar dam, for nearly four months before returning to their breeding grounds. However, the arrival of these avian visitors also attracts poachers who hunt them to sell their meat in nearby markets, officials said. To check poaching, the forest department remains on high alert and has intensified water patrols across vulnerable stretches. "Our field staff spotted a suspicious boat during a routine patrol in the Sharda Sagar dam reservoir. Deploying two patrol boats, our team chased down the vessel and intercepted two men found on board with 12 dead migratory birds stuffed inside a plastic bag," said RS Manral, ranger of the Surai forest range under the Terai East forest division. The accused were identified as Rohit Kumar and Raju, both residents of Sisiayan Bandha village in Khatima block....