Wildlife trafficking at Galib Street, Kolkata
Report as on 2nd March 2013 by Dibyendu Ash:
I can't stand such things happening just under our nose and let go it so easily. As long as there is demand for sex trade or wildlife trade or child labour trade, it will go on!!
It was a beautiful sunday morning. I went to Galib Street with my friend Subhashis Raha to buy pomeranian pupp. While he was busy talking to the dog breeder/seller! I noticed Rose-ringed Parakeets, Plum-headed Parakeets, White-rumped Munias, Red avadavats etc. are being sold. We didn't had mood to buy the pommy pup!
I have tried to report to the police sergeant who was controlling traffic at that time in Galib Street. He told me that he can't take the report and advised me to go to Saltlake to lodge the complaint; but he could not provide me the address or contact number or email ID for that.
He couldn't note down the report because his job is to control traffic!! But I think enforcement can be performed by agencies such as the Forest Department, the Police, the Customs and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Photographs attached herewith contains the images of -
• Rose-ringed Parakeet
• Plum-headed Parakeet
• White-rumped Munia
White-rumped Munia inside cage on 2nd March 2014 (above)
Rose-ringed Parakeet and Plum-headed Parakeet caged inside on 2nd March 2014 (left)
Rose-ringed Parakeet and Plum-headed Parakeet caged inside on 2nd March 2014 (left)
Few other species which were on sell are
• Red Avadavats,
• Alexandrine Parakeet,
• Indian Silverbill and
• Black-headed Munia.
This is not the first time I am watching this. It is known to all that if somebody gives a visit to Galib street then he/she can buy some wildlife animals and can keep them as pet. Policemen usually raid for countless number of times in a single year. But such illegal vendors are there, Galib street is there as it is. I have already notified regarding this in various Facebook forums, I think since this is a concern for Kolkata itself, that is why I am writing this blog.
Here is the link that one I have shared with Sanctuary Asia in Facebook:
https://www.
https://www.
I think sharing this in Facebook can not create an impact, until the whole mass accept it. My friends or members in this forum will not buy, but their is a bigger world outside my friend circle? How to connect with them? I don't have any answer against it. Even if I post this in Facebook, I doubt how many people will notice this and will go through it seriously. Just some of my friends will comment against this post and will show their sympathy.
I heartily feel sorry for those who are obliged to sell or involved in such illegal trades. If they manage a better livelihood perhaps then they will move into different profession. Now a days, new options are opening and policy makers are giving solution for jobless. Hoping for the best for wildlife and human livelihood.
From my side there is no problem if someone is putting guppies or parrot fish in their tanks bought from a registered vendor. Keeping animals as pet is a tradition of human being for 10000 years, it started with dogs. But once declared by the govt itself, that such and such animals should not be traded, one should forbid himself from keeping wild animals as pet.
Registered vendors generally sell badrikas, love birds and mixed breed finches as bird or fighters, guppies and mollies as fish. They don't go for selling something exotic. And believe me, registered vendors has also a set up shop, let it be an aquarium shop or a pet shop. So, it is obvious that registered vendors will never opt for selling wild animals or taking the risk of selling them. Because they have something to do with.
Those who has nothing to do with are involved into selling of smuggled goodies. Most of them live well beyond poverty line! The best we can do as a so called civilized citizen of WB, is that "Stop buying these animals" from unauthorised vendors.
Again "from unauthorised vendors"!
© Dibyendu Ash (CC-BY-NC-SA)
© Dibyendu Ash (CC-BY-NC-SA)
