Forest Department Collects 23 Parrots in Madurai through Awareness Campaign
Madurai: In response to an awareness campaign initiated by the forest department, residents in Madurai’s Sellur area handed over 23 parrots to the department on Thursday, following the discovery of parrots being kept as pets without proper permission.
There have been numerous complaints in Madurai district, particularly in the corporation area, regarding unauthorized parrot rearing in households. In light of this, under the guidance of Madurai Forest Officer Sarumathi and Wildlife Crime Control Division Forest Ranger Sasikumar, the forest department conducted an awareness drive in Sellur area.
During the campaign, they distributed informational pamphlets door-to-door and made public announcements. As a result, the local community became aware of the legal requirement to obtain permission from the forest department for keeping parrots at home. As a gesture of compliance, they voluntarily handed over 10 parrots and 13 parrots today, along with their cages, to the forest department.
Madurai Forest Officer Charumati noted, “Parrots are protected birds under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Amendment Act 2022). Keeping and selling parrots at home without permission is a punishable offense. Those who surrender their parrots to the district forest office by July 17 will not face any wildlife crime charges. However, failure to comply will result in appropriate action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, with a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh imposed for illegal possession.”
Furthermore, the forest department has urged the public to contact Madurai area forest rangers Satish (9488471398) and Vijayaraj (7904728531) in order to surrender any parrots kept in their homes.
This initiative aims to protect the local parrot population and preserve their natural habitat. The forest department’s efforts have not only raised awareness among the public but have also facilitated the safe and legal return of these parrots to their natural environment.