Illegal, yet thriving
Upon entering Bandar Bitan Pakhir Goli of Nupur Market in the port city, a constant chirping of birds greets the passersby.
Many varieties of the feathered friends could be seen busy flapping their wings much to an onlooker's delight.
But these wildlife are kept in cages for selling.
Although according to wildlife (conservation and security) act 2012, collecting, acquiring, purchasing, selling or transporting wildlife without government permission is a punishable offence, around 30 shops in the market are selling those in broad daylight.
While visiting the market last week, this correspondent found different types of wild birds including parrot, munia, myna and quail were being sold along with rabbits.
Shopkeepers said a parrot is sold between Tk 500 to Tk 700, pair of munias Tk 200 to Tk 300, mynas Tk 300 to Tk 400 and quails Tk 100 to Tk 150. A pair of rabbits is sold between Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,600.
Imran Ali, a shopkeeper of Ali Store, claimed the birds were supplied by the wholesalers from Bagura, Natore, Mymensingh and Jessore.
Md Momin, another shopkeeper, said he could make a profit of around Tk 600 by selling a pair of rabbits, Tk 200 by selling a parrot and Tk 100 by selling other birds. The demand for parrots and rabbits is high, he added.
When told that according to the law collecting and selling wildlife is a punishable offence, the shopkeepers said those “were not wildlife”, rather “raised” in farms.
Sinthia Binte Rashid, an HSC student, came to the market to buy a parrot. She did not know petting any wild animal or bird required the wildlife management department's permission, according to the wildlife act.
“I didn't know about the act. One of my friends told me that parrots are sold here, so I came to buy one,” she said.
Fakhrul Abein, a BBA student of a private university, was seen bargaining with a seller for a pair of mynas. He also said he did not know about such act.
Prof Gazi Asmat of Chittagong University's zoology department said he has visited the spot many times and the shopkeepers' claim that the birds were raised in farms was not true.
Wildlife Crime Control unit should enforce drives to resist these sorts of illegal activities, he said, adding, the government should aware and involve people in this regard with media's help.
Most of the birds are captured and brought to the major cities to be sold in pet shops and on the streets, he added.
Some domestic and foreign birds like pigeons and lovebirds are permitted to be raised in farms, said Dr Manzoorul Kibria, associate professor of the zoology department. No wildlife can be collected or sold without the authorities' permission, he said.
SM Golam Maola, divisional forest officer, wildlife division, Chittagong, said the shopkeepers did not get permission from them to sell birds or animals.
According to the wildlife act, six months' imprisonment and Tk 30,000 fine will be given for collecting, acquiring, purchasing or selling wild birds for the first time and upon repetition -- one-year imprisonment and a fine of Tk 50,000, said Omar Faruk, forester of Chittagong south zone.
Faruk said they conducted drives several times in the market and fined many shopkeepers. “When we conduct drives, selling of wildlife stops temporarily for a few days,” he said, adding, they cannot conduct drives regularly due to a manpower shortage.
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