Title - Rly board issues guidelines to curb smuggling of birds

Jalandhar:
In an effort to curb illegal transportation of wild animals and birds, which is reported to be rampant, the Railway Board of the Ministry of Railways has issued a series of guidelines.The Adviser, Freight and Marketing, of the Railway Board, Suhas Kumar, has issued a circular containing seven additional guidelines relating to booking of wild animals and birds, to the General Manager (commercial), All Indian Railway, and the Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests.The guidelines say that no consignment of birds or any animals should be accepted unless the consigners and consignees furnish a joint statement duly signed by them containing an elaborate and accurate description of each bird or animal.Besides other necessary documents required, no such consignment should be accepted unless a certificate issued from the authorised officer (chief wildlife wardens or district animal husbandry officer or any other competent authority of the states) is submitted, state the guidelines.

No chief parcel officer or goods shed will accept such consignment without receiving clearance from the ACM of the division concerned, it has been stated.

Dr Sandeep Kumar Jain, from Care of Animals and Protection of Environment — India, said enforcement of the guidelines would not only help in checking smuggling of wild birds and animals but also help in preventing cruelty towards animals.