Pune Forest Department Rescues 6 Protected Parakeets in Yerwada; 3 Arrested for Illegal Trade
Yerwada, 11th January 2026: In a significant crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade, the Pune Forest Department arrested three individuals and rescued six protected parakeets during a raid conducted in the Yerwada area on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Acting on a specific tip-off regarding the illegal possession and sale of protected birds, a joint team led by Range Forest Officers Rishikesh Chavan and Suresh Varak, along with DRI officers and staff, conducted raids at Shantinagar, Laxminagar, and Tingrenagar in Yerwada.
During the operation, the team seized five Alexandrine Parakeets (locally known as Pahadi Popat) and one Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Deshi Popat). All six birds were found alive. The officials immediately took custody of the birds and arrested three accused individuals involved in the illegal buying and selling of these species.
According to forest officials, the seized parakeets are classified as rare and protected species under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Keeping these birds in captivity or trading them is a punishable offense under the Act. A case has been registered against the three accused, and further investigation is underway.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial) Ashish Thakare, Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite, Divisional Forest Officer Amol Thorat, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Vishal Chavan. The raiding team included SIO Vrinda Sinha, IO Kaushal Sharma, Forester Pramod Raskar, and a team of forest guards including Manoj Parkhe, Anil Rathod, Ankush Kachare, Shriram Jagtap, Ulhas More, Krishna Hake, Maithili Gurav, Priya Aaken, Priya Wakde, and Amol Mote.
The Forest Department has appealed to citizens to report any information regarding the illegal trade or possession of wildlife by calling the toll-free helpline number 1926.
