The Flying Squad wing of the Forest department on Wednesday detained three women from Tamil Nadu over an attempt to sell rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in Idukki. According to the Idukki Flying Squad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) M.G. Vinod Kumar, three women arrived early morning on Wednesday by bus from Pollachi in Tamil Nadu to Kattappana in Idukki carrying the birds hidden in cages. They had planned to sell the parakeets in the Kamakshi and Prakash areas near Kattappana.

The arrested were identified as Pollachi residents Jaya Veeran (50), Ilavanchi Annadurai (45), and Usha Chandrasekharan (41).

“A total of 139 birds were found in cages. Six of them were found dead. They planned to sell a pair for ₹2,000. Rose-ringed parakeets are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Any sale, hunting, or rearing of these birds is prohibited under the Act. Offenders face imprisonment ranging from three to seven years and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh,” said Mr. Kumar.

The official further said that most of the people are unaware that the rearing of rose-ringed parakeets is a prohibited act. “The women are part of a gang that sells the birds in various areas and purchases them from local bird catchers in Pollachi,” said Mr. Kumar.

According to Forest department officials, the birds will be released in the forest areas of Idukki district after a health inspection.

The women were detained following a tip-off received by the Idukki Flying Squad DFO. The operation was led by Flying Squad Range Officer T. Litesh, Section Forest Officer (SFO) Saji Thomas, and Beat Forest Officers (BFO) Sreekumar, Shinoj Mon, Josekutty, and Rince Antony.