Harry Potter blamed for fuelling India owls' demise

DELHI. November 3. KAZINFORM Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has blamed fans of boy wizard Harry Potter for their role in the dwindling number of wild owls; Kazinform refers to BBC News.

He said that Harry Potter books and films featuring his feathered friend Hedwig are popular in India and had contributed towards the demise of owls.

Mr Ramesh said there had been an increase in people wanting to buy them from illegal bird traders.

He was speaking to mark the launch of a report on India's owl population.

Written by the leading conservation group, Traffic, the report calls for tougher measures to protect owls ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which starts on Friday.

It says that thousands of owls are traditionally sacrificed on "auspicious" occasions.

"Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls," Mr Jayram said.

Harry Potter publishers Bloomsbury declined to comment on Mr Jayar's assertions; Kazinform cites BBC News.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version.