Protected species being sold illegally in Nalgonda

HYDERABAD: After the city’s Murgi Chowk, illegal trade of exotic and protected species of birds and animals have now flourished in Nalgonda’s Ramgiri market. A visit by TOI revealed that protected species of birds such as whitebreasted waterhen, grey francolins, partridges, quails, and heirs are openly sold at the market.
“There seems to be no end to illegal trade of species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act,” said Mirza Kareem Baig, a member of the Forest and Wildlife Protection Society (FAWPS).
“People purchase birds like partridges, francolins and waterhens for consumption and in rare cases they are used for black magic,” Baig said, adding, “The meat of a monitor lizard, especially its tongue and liver, are believed to be aphrodisiacs. However, this is just a myth.”
When contacted, divisional forest officer of Nalgonda district, Shantha Rao said, “Wewilldefinitely take action against those selling these birds and animals in Ramgiri market as well.”