The Calcutta High Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of the illegal trade of endangered species of birds, especially during winter, on the basis of a newspaper report.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice T.B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee was informed that endangered birds like Tia, Moyna, Chandana and Pahari Moyna are smuggled from North Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and are traded in Kolkata and Delhi, especially during winter.
The trade in exotic bird species, not indigenous to the country, is not banned, while sale, purchase or keeping in captivity of Indian birds is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act , the Court noted.
The bench directed that the advocate general of West Bengal will render assistance to the court in his capacity as an advocate apart from appearing on behalf of the state.
“The migrating birds know no territorial limits and they
would fly to better pastures depending upon the change of
climate, availability of food and various other reasons including for their existence, procreation etc. This is part of the ecological management of the universe. We, therefore, deem it appropriate to further consider this matter because it has become necessary and expedient to initiate public interest litigation suo motu concerning
smuggling and illegal trading of endangered species of birds and for their preservation and protection,” the order reads.
The Court also directed that a number of officers related to forests and conservation of wildlife be impleaded as respondents in the proceedings.
The matter has been listed for hearing as the first case to be heard on December 8.