Parrot smuggling accused arrested

On the basis of information, the state level flying squad team of Chhattisgarh Forest Department arrested a person on the night of December 19 in the Durg-Visakhapatnam Link Express train for smuggling a large number of wildlife parrots.

 Based on the information, a joint team of state level flying squad, forest and climate change department, Chhattisgarh Railway Police Force and Raipur forest range officers inspected all the bogies of Durg-Visakhapatnam Link Express train. During this, 105 Hiraman parrots were found in cages and crates near Shamsuddin Ali, resident of Murra Bhatti, Gudhiyari Raipur. The team caught him red handed. A crime was registered by the Forest Range Officer Raipur as the accused was involved in wildlife crime. The accused was taken into custody and seizure memo was issued.

It is noteworthy that Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap has instructed the officials to take strict action against those found involved in wildlife crimes. This action was taken under the guidance of Principal Chief Forest Conservator and Forest Force Chief Shri V. Srinivas Rao. In the case of parrot smuggling, this action has been taken under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. It is worth noting that the parrot species has been included in the schedule of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, due to which keeping parrots and its purchase and sale is now completely banned.