LUCKNOW, May 25 -- Seven persons were apprehended for illegally trading birds during a joint surprise raid at Nakhas Market conducted by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), forest department, and STF on Sunday. During the operation, officials rescued 591 birds, including 350 munias, 15 hill parrots, two Indian parrots, two sunbirds, 22 cockatiels, 65 finches, and 135 budgerigars. Divisional forest officer Sitanshu Pandey said the native Indian bird species recovered during the operation are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (as amended), and that the illegal capture, possession, and trade of such species is a punishable offence.Further legal scrutiny into the possession and trade of exotic bird species is also being carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. "The rescued birds have been taken into safe custody. An FIR has been lodged at Chowk police station in Lucknow by the range forest officer, city range, and necessary legal proceedings are being carried out. The accused persons have been handed over to police custody," Pandey said....