In August, team HEAL, assisted the Cooch Behar Forest Department (MPP Range) in two major crackdowns on the illegal keeping of scheduled wild bird species. Together, these raids led to the seizure of 24 protected birds from households across multiple villages.

📍 8th August (Dhumpur & Dewanhat):
1 Common Hill Myna (Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)
3 Rose-ringed Parakeets (Schedule II)

📍 24th August (across six villages – Harinchowra, Dodeyar Hat, Banchukhamari, Uttar Khagrabari, Siddheswari, and Baneswar):
– 1 Red-breasted Parakeet (Schedule I)
– 3 Alexandrine Parakeets (Schedule II)
– 16 Rose-ringed Parakeets (Schedule II)

All rescued birds are undergoing health checks and rehabilitation currently at the Rasikbil zoo as many birds were maltreated, had their wings clipped by owners and suffered from health issues.

Why this matters:

The illegal pet trade is not a harmless tradition—it is a wildlife crime. It strips species from the wild, disrupts ecosystems, fuels trafficking networks, and normalises cruelty under the guise of culture or ignorance.

The law is clear:

possession of Schedule I and II species without authorisation is a punishable offence. Yet awareness remains low. That is why it is crucial for all of us to not only stay informed but to also inform others—because wildlife crimes thrive in silence and complicity.

At HEAL, we will continue to work with enforcement agencies to ensure that Bengal’s skies belong to free-flying birds, not to cages.

Kudos to our Zonal Coordinator – Cooch Behar, Ardhendu Banik for leading these operations and member volunteers – Subha Dey, Jagadish Das and Roky Sutradhar for their effort.