Navi Mumbai: In a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the forest department rescued 42 Munias from a pet shop in Ulwe Node, Panvel taluka, on Thursday. Two individuals were arrested during the operation.
Protected Species Found in Cages
The rescue revealed Red Munias, Scaly-breasted Munias, and Tricoloured Munias among the birds kept for sale. All three species fall under Schedule II, Part B of the Wildlife Protection Act, which prohibits their capture and trade.
Forest officials stated that these birds are often trapped from grasslands and sanctuaries, including Karnala, and are sold illegally at around ₹700 a pair. The traffickers, identified as Devendra Lalchand Patil from Koparkhairane, Thane, and Haresh Damodar Patil from Pen, Raigad, were presented before the Panvel court and remanded to two days of police custody.
Operation Carried Out with NGO Support
The raid was conducted with the assistance of the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA), which provided a tip-off. “We have a unit called Wildlife Conservation Enforcement that deals with combating wildlife trade. Based on the input, the raid was carried out successfully,” a WWA representative said.
Action Under Wildlife Protection Act
Deputy Conservator of Forests Rahul Patil supervised the operation. The rescued birds are now in the custody of the forest department. Officials confirmed that both accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Awareness on Wildlife Conservation
Environmentalist and NatConnect Foundation director B. N. Kumar commended the rescue, stressing that many people are unaware the exotic-looking birds they keep as pets are protected species. The department noted that the action has dealt a major blow to the illegal bird trade in the region.
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