ISLAMABAD: It is illegal to trap sparrows and keep them as pets even though they are not a rare bird or on the brink of extinction, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has said.

The board has released some 320 sparrows that were captured by bird dealers on College Road in Rawalpindi. Also known by the name spotted munia, the birds were confiscated from an individual selling pairs for Rs150 to Rs200.

The birds were confiscated by IWMB staff who were on the lookout for individuals selling sparrows in F-6, F-7 and F-10 Markaz.

“People purchase pairs and release them immediately in alms or following some rituals. It is illegal to trade in spotted munia nonetheless,” wildlife officer Zaheer Mirza said.

He added that the board does not have jurisdiction in Rawalpindi, where bird dealers are thriving on College Road. However, the board has begun to crack down on people selling sparrows in various sectors.

The sparrows, which are indigenous to the twin cities, were released in the Margalla Hills National Park two days ago.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2019