Parakeets chained to sell rescued in Silchar; “General public’s awareness is protecting wildlife,” DFO

In the Shillongpatty area, video journalist Ahadul Ahmed Laskar noticed a man suspiciously walking with a bag. Upon confrontation, it became clear that the man had chained some birds and was selling them for Rs 2,000 a pair. A young boy, who identified himself as Raju and said he was a resident of the Kanakpur area was trying to sell these birds.

When Ahadul Ahmed Laskar questioned about the illegal trade of birds, Raju managed to run away from the spot. Later, along with social activist, Joydeep Chakraborty and fellow colleague Bhola Nath, Ahadul went to the divisional forest officer Sunnydeo Choudhury’s office and handed over the birds to the officials.

“The young boy somehow managed to run away from the spot. The birds’ leg was chained with a wooden log in a painful manner. It took a lot of effort to unchain the birds,” said Ahadul Ahmed Laskar.

DFO Sunnydeo Choudhury added. “They have done a noble deed by rescuing the birds and handing them over to the officials. We will take the necessary steps and release the birds. But, it is my request to the general public, to immediately inform the forest officials whenever they notice something like this. It is extremely essential to arrest the culprits as they could be a part of the bigger nexus smuggling wildlife illegally.”

“In recent times, we have witnessed that general public’s awareness is helping us protect wildlife. A few days back, the public rescued eagle-owl and handed it over to us. Similarly, a few barn owls were also rescued. One electrocuted barn owl got cured after medication. Earlier, the public used to kill a snake whenever they spotted it. Now, it has changed to a great extent. People try and rescue the snake however venomous it might be. This awareness is a positive sign,” the DFO added.

The forest officials have got the video featuring Raju and the DFO said a case will be registered against the miscreant who was trying to sell the parakeets illegally.