In a significant crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Pune Forest Department has apprehended three individuals and confiscated six protected parakeets from a residence in the city's Tingre Nagar area. The operation, which took place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, highlights the ongoing efforts to curb the illegal trade of scheduled species.
Details of the Tingre Nagar Raid
The action was spearheaded by a team from the State Forest Department, Pune, under the leadership of Range Forest Officers Rushikesh Chavan and Suresh Warak. Acting on intelligence, officials conducted a raid at a spot in Shanti Nagar, located within the Tingre Nagar locality. During the operation, the team successfully nabbed three suspects from a house and recovered the birds from their possession.
The seized birds include five Alexandrine parakeets, commonly known as 'pahadi popat', and one rose-ringed parakeet, referred to as 'deshi popat'. Forest authorities have confirmed that these species are protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, making their capture and trade a serious offence.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the three accused under the stringent provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Vishal Chavan stated that the suspects are residents of Tingre Nagar and were allegedly involved in the illegal sale of the parakeets.
"The three accused are residents of the Tingre Nagar area and were found to be selling the parakeets illegally. We are not revealing the details of the arrested accused as further investigation is on. Attempts are on to find more people involved in the crime," Chavan explained.
The investigation team plans to produce the accused before a court in Pune on Monday, January 12, 2026, to seek their police custody for further interrogation and to deepen the probe into the smuggling network.
Appeal to the Public
In the wake of this incident, the state forest department has reiterated its appeal to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to wildlife. The department has urged the public to contact the toll-free number 1296 to provide credible information about illegal wildlife trade, helping authorities take swift action.
This case underscores the persistent challenge of wildlife smuggling in urban areas and the critical role of enforcement agencies and public cooperation in protecting India's biodiversity.
