Despite a ban in India, there is regular smuggling of birds to Nepal from UP and Bihar. A number of Indian bird traders have been seen recently in Kathmandu, according to WPSI Warden Alert, the newsletter of the WPSI, in its inaugural volume.

According to the WPSI, cheaper birds like parakeets and munias are sold in Kathmandu, whereas expensive birds are smuggled to Pakistan and West Asian countries through direct flights from Kathmandu. While Nepal has excellent law enforcement in its national parks and sanctuaries, the same cannot be said of its cities as the department of national parks does not have the required jurisdiction, says the newsletter.

Today, except for crows, swifts and swallows, all birds in India are protected under Wildlife Laws.Recent evidence suggests that trade in more common species such as parakeets and munias is a mere cover for carrying out other illegal activities.

In November last year, according to the newsletter, one tiger skin and one leopard skin were seized from two people in Delhi. The two -- Mohsin Ali and Shyam Babu -- were bird traders having shops in Jama Masjid.

A blanket ban on bird trade should be introduced in the country and bird trappers should be re-trained and encouraged to take up alternative vocations, says the WPSI. Honorary Wildlife Wardens were appointed by the State Governments throughout India in response to a Supreme Court order in 1997.

The WPSI launched its HWW programme to coordinate the needs and activities of the HWWs, and provide them with support and relevant information. The aim of this programme is to mobilise people concerned with environment and wildlife issues, into a force capable of taking effective action.

The WPSI has also prepared a nationwide directory of all theappointed HWWs. Warden Alert has been started by the WPSI to inform HWWs of wildlife law enforcement issues and other threats to conservation of wildlife. Many HWWs have said that when the need arises, they have no one to turn to for help and require the WPSI to fill this vacuum.

The WPSI was formed in 1994 with the specific aim of providing additional support and information to combat the escalating illegal wildlife trade. The society has established a network of informers throughout the country, a comprehensive database on wildlife crimes and a legal cell which pursues the prosecution of important such cases.