Chandigarh, August 9

Raising the issue of an exotic bird aviary being set up in the city, former minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi has said “this is illegal and no one is allowed to sell birds in the country”.

In a letter to UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore, Maneka said it had been brought to her notice that the UT Administration had brought out a tender to buy 1,500 rare exotic birds for a walk-in aviary. “This is illegal. No one is allowed to sell birds in this country and sellers are regularly caught and jailed. Many of these birds are not bred in India but smuggled from other countries where these are becoming increasingly rare.”

All legal aspects taken care of’

In response to the letter, Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT, said all legal aspects had been taken care of in regard to the aviary. A necessary clarification would also be submitted to the Union Ministry, he said, adding that looking at the size of the aviary, no unethical treatment would be meted out to the birds housed there. It was being set up in the larger interests of the public, he said, adding that the birds would get a natural habitat and also get food and water. Besides, veterinary experts would be there to take care of the birds. TNS