Special permission clearance is required from the forest department to possess turtles and birds

Persons will now need previous consent from the forest department in order to possess turtles as well as birds as the government tightens controls in a move to curb illegal holding of wildlife.

Now, the special licenses to raise animals and birds would also be obtained from the interface of the Forest Department. From now onward, it won't be required to travel to Kolkata to get the licenses for having a pet. At the same time, the Forest Department is also very strictly acting against the reckless dumping of caged birds into the jungle. In short, a set of persons unlocks the caged birds and releases them into the jungle to get recognition as a group of environment activists. This happens in the Lataguri and Gorumara forests.

Recently, a video snapped a youth releasing some foreign birds in the Lataguri forest, which spread across several social media sites. Forest officials have stated that the foreign birds brought from other countries can adjust to a cage environment. But they cannot adjust to the forest surroundings and eventually die because of that. Therefore, the Forest Department has decided to take action, as mentioned in the Wildlife Protection Act, to stop the incident.

"In the future, if anyone is found to be guilty of this kind of case, then actions will be taken according to the law. Along with that, fines will also have to be paid," said Rajib De, ADFO of the Gorumara Wildlife Division.

On the other hand, the special license for keeping Schedule-IV animals and birds will be possible through the environment portal of the Forest Department itself. The ADFO told that there has been a launch of a website by the Forest Department. Prior to this, people who loved animals and birds had to go to Kolkata to get this license.

The list pertaining to Schedule IV consists of cockatoo birds, macaws, African Grey parrots, brown finches, along with various birds and a number of animals, which also comprises radius guider species of turtles. Every procedure, starting right from procurement to sale, and then births and deaths, will have to be recorded online compulsorily.