Birds, both terrestrial and water borne form a very important and major chunk of trade in markets, both locally and abroad. Although, for now, our focus will be exclusively on local markets of Delhi. Markets of Old Delhi, in and around Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, are well known places fir buying and selling the pet birds. According to ornithologists and traders, parrots which are sold throughout the year, constitute 50% of the bird trade.
This bird trade flourishes despite various measures and laws in place. Many threatened and near threatened bird species can be found in the lanes of these markets. Many organizations and governments have come forward and pledged towards protection these birds. Some laws in place for the protection of birds and their habitat in India, are given below.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
An Act of Parliament, enacted to protect animals and plants, applicable throughout India. This act also specifies for establishment for National Parks and other institutions, for structured protection of animals and their habitat.
Protection and Preservation Act, 1972
Forest laws basically focus on the protection of forest from the harvesting of timber and to protect the wild life. Forest covers total 22%.
Firstly Indian Forest act, 1927 under which it reserve the wildlife and the produce of the forest. It divided the forest into three categories that is reserved forest, protected forest and the village forest.
Secondly wildlife Protection and Preservation act, 1972 includes protection and conservation of wildlife, plants and animals and ensuring ecological and environment sustainability.
• Indian Penal Code and CITES protect trade, hunting, harming of birds in India.
• Taking note of rising numbers of killings of National bird, Peacock, for its feathers and other purposes, govt. brought laws into place, banning the hunting along with heavy penalties and imprisonment.
• Govt. has also banned cock-fighting, making
it a cognizable offence.
IUCN RED LIST
Apart from govt. across the Globe and our country, International Union for Conservation (IUCN), an international organization towards preservation and sustainable use of habitat and environment, comes out with coveted Red List every year, notifying of the threatened species of the animals and birds.
The latest red list released of 2015 by IUCN shows that against 173 birds last year, 180 birds species is threaten this year in India. They are Northern Lapwing (grassland bird) and four wetland birds, viz. Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, bar tailed god-wit and Eurasian Oyster-catcher. Horned grebe and common Po-chard has been uplifted from least concerned to vulnerable. In 2014, this eight new species added to the Red List, viz. Woolly necked Stork, Andaman Teal, Andaman Green Pigeon, Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture, Yunnan Nuthatch, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Red-headed falcon.
Commercial trade
Munias, Peacocks, Weaver birds, Koel, Mynas and Owls this are the native birds of India which are protected under the wild life protection act 1972. Despite stringent laws in place over commercial trading of birds, illegal trading is very much still effective and all over the place.
