Man arrested with banned parrot species in Jamalpur
Wildlife Department arrested accused with two rare Alexandrine Parakeets, or Ram Totas
The Wildlife Department has arrested a man in Ludhiana’s Jamalpur area for smuggling banned birds. Two rare Alexandrine Parakeets (Ram Tota) were recovered from the accused.
The Wildlife Department got registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and initiated further investigation. The accused was later handed over to the police.
Complainant in the case Anu, Forest Range Officer, Ludhiana, said she had received information that a man from Mundian Kalan village was involved in the illegal trade of banned birds. Acting on this information, the department laid a trap and surrounded Jamalpur area.
The accused has been identified as Vishal Grewal, a resident of Lahri Nagar, Mundian Kalan, Ludhiana. During a search, two rare parrots were seized from him, which he was intending to sell illegally. A case was registered under Sections 2, 39, 48, 48-A, 49, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, against the accused.
The Forest Range Officer said that, “We received information that the banned birds were being smuggled in the area. The accused, Vishal, has been arrested and evidence collected against him. The seized birds have been sent to a safe location. Now, further investigation has been launched to check if any gang involved in bird smuggling was active or not.”
Keeping or trading many parrot species is a criminal offence in India. Under the Wildlife Act, those found guilty can face heavy fines and even prison sentences. The department is now investigating which major smugglers had connections with Vishal.
