Illegal parrot trade continues unabated in Dhanusadham

By Vijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkebar, Feb. 16:The illegal parrot trade prohibited by law, is going on uninterrupted at the Dhanushadham fair in Dhanusha. These parrots, once abundant in the Tarai region are on the verge of extinction, and despite protective laws, illegal parrot trade is rampant in Dhanushadham fair.

The majority of individuals engaged in the parrot trade are Indians. A parrot dealer, who was selling caged parrots, mentioned that he sold one parrot for Rs. 600 to Rs. 800. The businessman, who preferred not to disclose his name and address, said that he was importing parrots from Bihar, India, and selling them in the fair.

The trader said that he was aware of the ban on parrot trade in Nepal but added that no one had intervened to stop it.

Local Dhuryodhan Mahato said that every Sunday in January, six or seven Indian traders arrived to sell parrots. He added that neither the police responsible for fair security nor the staff from the nearby forest office made any effort to control the illegal parrot trade.

Dev Narayan Mandal, President of Mithila Wildlife Trust Dhanusha, engaged in bird and wildlife conservation, said that according to the government's poultry policy issued in 2012, only chickens, ducks, quails, guinea fowl, turkeys, pigeons, ostriches and partridge are permitted for rearing. 

According to Mandal, it is evident from the law that keeping birds other than those mentioned is prohibited. There is a protocol in place for handling birds not covered by the policy, as per the law, he added.

The Act stipulates fines of up to Rs. 1 million or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both, for individuals engaged in illegal wildlife trade. Responsibility for enforcing these legal provisions in Nepal falls on various authorities, including the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation and its subordinate offices, the Divisional Forest Office, and the Police.

“The illegal bird trade has been overshadowed by the illegal trade of tigers, rhinos, and elephants, "Mandal added.

Bechan Chaudhary, Divisional Head of the Division Forest Office in Dhanusha, said that the parrot trade was illegal and such businessmen would be arrested and penalised.