However, the bird trade is banned in the country, but with lax laws and enforcement and mild punishment, poaching and smuggling of rare species is rampant. Displaying of birds specially parrots in cages is also illegal and punishable by a fine and imprisonment of up to five years.

Talking to The Pioneer Raghu, who was selling parrots over bicycle, said, "People love to buy parrots because it's ability to imitate human voices."

While talking to The Pioneer, Mahendra Singh, who was buying a parrot in front of Gandhi Park main entrance, said, "The bird is easy to keep because it eats fruits, seeds, plant material and even small animals."

"It makes nest in tree holes or cavity, hold no breeding territories are monomorphic or minimally sexually dimorphic and lay white eggs from which emerge altricial young", he added.

A wildlife official said that a combination of trapping of wild birds and damage to parrot habitats makes survival difficult or even impossible for some species of parrot. Birdlife international, a worldwide conservation group, had warned that around 300 Asian bird species face extinction, particularly in India, Phillipines and China due to poor protection and habitat destruction. The resulting pet trade and other hunting as well as habitat loss, invasive species, have been diminishing wild population and more parrots are threatened with extinction than any other group of birds.

"Those people are not aware of the Wild Life Protection Act and the Prevention of Cruelty Act. We keep track of these illegal activates and the moment we get any information, we start the rescue operation," said a police officer, who expressed helplessness to curb this illegal business.

An other buyer said that religion also plays a significant role in promoting wild bird trade. Many, especially Jains, Buddhists and Hindus believe releasing birds that are held in captivity can purify the soul and relieve personal sins. In India, fortune-tellers use parrots to forecast destiny of people.