Fw: Illegal bird trade unchecked :Tribune Story

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Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

 

--- On Wed, 23/7/08, cape india <capeindia1 wrote:

 

cape india <capeindia1

Illegal bird trade unchecked :Tribune Story

To:

Wednesday, 23 July, 2008, 10:23 AM

 

 

 

 

Illegal bird trade unchecked

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 22

Illegal bird trade is going on in the city in the garb of exotic bird trade..

The business not only violates the Wildlife Protection Act but also poses a

threat of bird flu as birds which are often transported from West Bengal, may

carry the virus from there and spread it to those in the state.

Experts claim that most of the exotic birds are brought to the city from Burdman

in West Bengal where bird flu has already spread. If this process goes on

unchecked, poultry in Punjab is also at risk.

The fact came to light when bird trader Hanif from Islam Ganj area was nabbed

here on July 9. He was carrying numerous exotic bird species, including parrots,

the trade of which is prohibited under the Wild Life Protection Act.

When Hanif was produced before the forest department officials, he opened the

cage and let the parrots free so that he was not booked under the WPA.

Later, on July 14, another person was found holding black kite captive and was

trying to sell it by passing it off as a falcon. He was nabbed and the matter

was reported to the district forest officer. No action was, however, taken

against him. The birds were shifted to PFA shelter.

''This is a very serious matter. Exotic birds are brought from West Bengal,

which is facing a serious threat from bird flu and these birds are the main

source of the virus. There is no check on this trade which is going on

unchecked. The warning by the Government of India and guidelines for

transportation of birds and livestock are not being followed,'' said honorary

wildlife warden Dr Sandeep Jain.

He said the modus operandi of bird traders was to display the budgerigars,

finches and love birds in cages in scorching heat without proper nesting space.

" The deal of potential buyers of Indian parakeets is struck underhand and the

birds are even supplied at home, " he claimed.

''A detailed investigation and proper interrogation of those nabbed can lead to

the kingpin of illegal wildlife trade. Few day old chicks of Indian parakeet are

stolen from the nests and supplied to bird sellers who keep and rear them at

undisclosed places and supply as per orders. Only young ones adjust as pets in

houses. Many perish during capture, transportation and rearing. So the number of

birds trapped is about five times more than the requirement,'' said Dr Jain.

He said he had written to the chief wildlife warden at Chandigarh about the

illegal trade and the threat these birds are posing to poultry in the state.

''Punjab has been spared by avian influenza virus till now. But if these

practices go unchecked, it can reach here anytime,'' he

warned. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080723/ldh1.htm#17

--

for Care of Animals & Protection of Environment-India(CAPE-India)

 

 

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