A team of non-governmental organisation activists and Forest Department officials on Wednesday rescued rose ringed parakeets that were being kept for sale here.
The bird is listed under Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Keeping or selling these birds would attract either or both a prison term of two-and-a-half years and a fine of Rs. 25,000.
A team of four activists from Environment Conservation Group led by its president R. Mohammed Saleem accompanied a Forest Department team led by Coimbatore Range Officer R.G. Sekar and Forester Govindaraj when they inspected eight houses at Idayarpalayam, near Vadavalli.
A total of 12 parakeets were rescued from the houses. People were warned against indulging in such activites in the future.
Four more houses in the same lane, which were found locked, would be inspected on Thursday.
The Forest Department was ascertaining the health of the birds. Once found to be fit enough, they would be released into the wild.
Those having information about such birds being kept illegally can contact the department in the following numbers: Mr. Sekar, mobile no: 94862 41217, District Forest Office, telephone no: (0422) 245 6911, or Mr. Saleem, mobile no: 97878 78910.
