After People for Animals (PFA) brought rampant trafficking of parakeets at Pipili-Puri bypass under Khurda forest division to the notice of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wild life) and Chief Wild life Warden, the forest officials on Saturday conducted a raid and arrested a person on the charge of selling parakeets.
Meanwhile, Rahunath Jena of Jajpur district was remanded to jail custody as a local court here rejected his bail plea. Notably, parakeets are Schedule (4) category animals and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
PFA member secretary Amulya Nayak said, “Selling of parakeets as well as Munias is rampant at Pipili bypass. Since concerned authorities have failed to ensure regular raids, people feel it safe to sell the Schedule (4) category animal.”
He said species of parakeets like Alexandrane and Rose are being sold near Pipili ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 500, while Munia birds are being sold at Rs 100- Rs 200, which are being usually collected from forests of Bramhagiri and other parts of Puri district.
“We will install hoarding at various places to make people aware about the illegal smuggling of parakeets and other Scheduled (4) category animals,” said Nayak, urging the State functionaries to ensure regular raid to check the illegal sale of parakeets.