PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, January 12: In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the forest department on Sunday evening seized more than 100 birds and other wildlife products near the Sakchi roundabout in Jamshedpur and arrested three persons.
Acting on a tip-off that birds were being transported from Kolkata for illegal sale in Sakchi and nearby areas, a team of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) kept surveillance in the area.
The team intercepted a suspect carrying a bag near the Sakchi roundabout. During a search, officials recovered 35 parrots from his possession. The accused was identified as Abhay Gupta.
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Two More Arrested Based on Disclosure
Based on Abhay Gupta’s disclosure, the forest department arrested two more accused — MD Guddu and Sameer Ansari.
From their possession, officials seized 10 cockatiels, 35 large parakeets, and one deer antler.
Animals Brought from Kolkata
Divisional Forest Officer Saba Alam Ansari said preliminary investigation revealed that all the birds and wildlife products had been transported from Kolkata and were intended for sale in local markets and neighbourhoods of Jamshedpur.
He said the illegal wildlife trade is a serious offence and poses a grave threat to biodiversity.
Case Registered Under Wildlife Protection Act
A case has been registered against all three accused under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Further interrogation is underway to trace the larger network involved in the wildlife trafficking racket.
