The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh police arrested a member of an inter-state wildlife trafficking gang and rescued 334 protected parrots from his possession at Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, Mohammad Zahid, was apprehended on Tuesday around 7.15 pm at platform number 5 of the railway station, following intelligence inputs about increased activity of wildlife trafficking gangs in the region.
STF teams, under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Satyasen Yadav, intensified surveillance and coordinated with the Divisional Forest Officer, Varanasi, the Government Railway Police (GRP), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to intercept the suspect. Zahid was reportedly transporting the parrots to Bardhaman in West Bengal via the Amritsar-Howrah Mail.
During interrogation, Zahid admitted procuring some of the birds from a man named Karan from Fatehpur district, who is allegedly involved in capturing parrots, peacocks and other protected birds. The remaining birds were sourced through one of Karan’s associates from Pratapgarh district.
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The parrots, transported in plastic bags in the RMS coach, included Rose-ringed Parrots and Alexandrine Parakeets, both protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Zahid claimed he bought the birds in Uttar Pradesh at rates ranging from Rs 150–200 per bird and intended to sell them in West Bengal for Rs 1,500–2,000 each.
The STF seized the 334 parrots, seven plastic bags, and Rs 3,700 in cash. A case has been registered at the Forest Range Office, Varanasi, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Officials noted that the arrest highlights the continuing efforts of law enforcement and forest authorities to curb illegal wildlife trade, which threatens biodiversity and violates environmental protection laws.
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