The Calcutta High Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance 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 are impleaded as respondents in the proceedings.

The matter has been listed for hearing as the first case to be heard on December 8.

This Article Does Not Intend To Hurt The Sentiments Of Any Individual Community, Sect, Or Religion Etcetera. This Article Is Based Purely On The Authors Personal Views And Opinions In The Exercise Of The Fundamental Right Guaranteed Under Article 19(1)(A) And Other Related Laws Being Force In India, For The Time Being.