Passersby are apparently approached by the poachers carrying their ware of chickens and ducks dangling in their hands with the cry that they have birds for sale. Then they lead the customer to a nearby market where they keep these birds and sell them as if they are throwing sprats to catch herrings in using the chickens and ducks to attraction attention. The varieties of birds they sell are swans, ducklings, doves, storks, white-breasted water hen and many more.

This illegal trading is going with impunity in open places. The sellers are adept in deceiving the law-enforcing agencies. This is possible because the law has never been strictly enforced, sources said.

"The Wild Animal Conservation Act of 1974 has not been implemented properly due to lack of wide publicity and seriousness on the part of law enforcing agencies," said Dr Enam-Ul-Haq of Bangladesh Birds Club. "Though the law was very stringent, the implementation of the law was rarely seen," he added.

The law imposes punishment of six-months' imprisonment or fine of Tk 5,000 or both, along with the confiscation of the firearms used in bird hunting. The district and session judge has the authority to hear bail petitions on cases filed under this law.

People of the country including the law-enforcing agencies have regarded bird hunting a minor crime, observed Dr Enam-ul-Haq, himself a former Inspector General of Police. He added that due to lack of awareness and sensitization, the law-enforcing agencies are not motivated to implement the existing law against bird hunting strictly.

New Elephant Road, Moghbazar, Kakrail, Farmgate, Banglamotor, New Market, Satmasjid Road, Asad Gate, Mohakhali and Gulshan Bazar are the main haunts of poachers selling birds in broad daylight.

The birds are sold at different prices and set ratios. Eight ducks at Tk 1000, 12 doves at Tk 1500, four storks at Tk 400 and two-water cormorant at Tk 190. The prices are relatively high at during this season as the winter and migrant birds will start coming in after mid-October.

"Winter is a prosperous season for selling birds due to the increasing number of guest birds at this time," said Mizan - a bird seller on New Elephant Road.

According to the Bangladesh Birds Club, a total bird population in the country comprises of 200 species of birds. Among them, 120 species are water birds, heron, share birds and waders, 56 small birds, fly catchers, warblers, wagtail and the rest of the 25 species are ducks.