India, May 3 -- No Indian wild bird, be it a crow, pigeon, parakeet, munia, etc., can be kept in captivity by non-government entities except with the explicit permission of the forest and wildlife departments. The law is very clear but often observed in the breach. Citizens buy parakeets from poachers and keep them as household pets in cages. A welcome initiative to free pet parakeets (Alexandrine and rose-ringed) and create awareness among people and students against such illegal ownership has resulted in freeing 28 birds over the last two months from Sector 55, Phase 1, Mohali, Sunrise Complex, Zirakpur, and Behlana and Dhanas, Chandigarh. According to a media statement, the drive was "organised by Karuna Eco-companions Foundation in collaboration with the Chandigarh forest and wildlife department, Global Youth Federation and Peedu's People. The Chandigarh NSS Cell and the education department partnered in the initiative." An awareness drive on the illegal trade and captivity of wild birds was conducted at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Khuda Ali Sher. "Students and their parents were sensitised during the session. They were encouraged to understand that what may seem like love for animals can actually support wildlife crime and cruelty," the statement added. According to Sahil Verma of the NGO, Peedu's People, "We are trying to track (parakeet) sellers based on the information we got from the owners of these parakeets. Most (pet) parakeets in the tricity region are sourced from Ambala and Zirakpur. We are currently in discussion with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (central agency)." Verma said that during the drive, a common issue emerged - many people keeping parakeets were unaware that it was illegal to do so. Even if all such claims of ignorance by parakeet owners are taken at face value, the fact is parakeets are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2022). Illegal ownership automatically invites legal proceedings and punishment. Explaining the hesitancy to act against illegal parakeet owners, Verma told this writer: "The forest and wildlife department wants to make people aware before booking people under the Act. That is why we started this awareness drive."...