The Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Control Unit carried out a drive in the Mirpur-1 area of the capital to enforce the wildlife protection law. The raid on the bird market at Mirpur-1, from 10am to 2pm on Friday (18 July), rescued 61 birds and two turtles in total.

The rescued birds included 41 parakeets, three green pigeons and doves, 10 munias and five mynas, along with two turtles. The birds were released at the Mirpur Botanical Garden at midday after the drive.

The Wildlife Crime Control Unit said selling birds and other wildlife or keeping them caged is a punishable offence under the Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Such drives are carried out regularly to raise public awareness and stop the illegal wildlife trade.

Chief conservator of forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury said roaming freely in nature is the natural right of wild animals. The way countless wild animals are caged and sold at the city's bird markets is not only illegal but also cruel.

He said the rescued animals were released in a safe environment after initial observation.

The Forest Department urged all citizens to refrain from buying, selling or caging wildlife and to help by reporting such illegal activity. Such drives will continue.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.