Personnel of the Coimbatore Forest Division on Wednesday fined a man near Variety Hall Road in Coimbatore for possessing protected Red Avadavat (amandava amandava) birds (Sigappu Sillai in tamil) for sale here.
According to senior officials from the forest department, they had raided the place on a tip off by members of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT) on the day.
On investigation, it was found that R. Manoj (25) from Okkaliyar Street had possessed Red Avadavat birds that are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act. It was found that Manoj had intended to sell the birds.
They seized the birds and released them back in an undisclosed place and fined the man of Rs. 20000.
According to sources, the birds with colourful red feathers are often found in illegal trade along with other Munia species that are residents to the outskirts of the city. The birds are caught using nets and then sold in the market.
The District Forest Department had issued a stern warning against those who involve in illegal trade of protected species.