Bird poachers make quick buck as actions rare

Illegal catching and sale of birds especially parrots, goes on under the nose of the authorities concerned in Lalmonirhat.

Violating laws, the poachers are selling parrots openly in different markets of the district but members of the law enforcement agencies are indifferent due to unknown reason, said locals.

Azizul Islam of bordering village Chandrapur in Kaliganj upazila said "I sell 20 to 25 parrots every day but never face any difficulty from any corner, especially the members of law enforcement agencies." 

He purchased parrots from the poachers in border areas, Azizul said, adding that he also poached birds, especially parrots, in border area sometimes.

Another bird poacher, Mahir Ali, of Islampur village in Patgram upazila, said he poached three to four parrots that came to the country from India, seeking food in the crop fields in the border area.

"We sell a parrot at Tk 600-1200 in the local market," he said.

Farmer Shafiqul Islam of Sarkarerhat village in Patgram upazila said, "I along with some other farmers in the village always raise voice against bird poaching in our farmlands."

A few days ago, a man was given a good beating for poaching parrots in the border area, he said.

Aftab Hossain, a resident of Tushbhandar Bazar in Kaliganj upazila, said he bought a parrot from a poacher at Tk 1100 two days ago.

District Livestock Officer Dr Nasir Uddin said due to shortage of manpower, they could not conduct drive against illegal poaching and selling of birds, especially parrots, that came to the country from across the border.

If anybody is found poaching and selling birds illegally in border areas or any place in the district, punitive action will be taken against them, he said.