In Pindi, a market where birds of all colours and species are traded

Despite low demand for birds in the twin cities, the market has managed to carve a niche for itself.

RAWALPINDI:

Nestled away in an old area that was home to Sikhs before partition, Sardar Alam Khan Road is filled every day with birdsongs from a wide variety of local and foreign birds.

At first glance, the road depicts the picture of a small aviary. Accessories like cages and bird food are also put up on sale. There are over 20 shops housing different species of birds such as parrots, pigeons, sparrows and local and imported roosters. People can also sell their home-bred birds in the market.

“The market provides good opportunity for sale and purchase of beautiful birds to keep at houses,” said Mubashir Ahmed, who has been in the business for the past 18 years. “People usually prefer buying colourful parrots,” he added.

Majority of the species are brought in from Karachi and Lahore, where they are bred. “Various species of Australian parrot are being reared in Karachi and these birds are also exported,” Ahmed said.

Haneef Iqbal, another shopkeeper, said that the bird industry had not picked any palpable pace in the twin cities, and only a select number of bird lovers come to the market regularly.

Iqbal said they are not allowed to sell endangered birds such as peacocks and pheasants, which have a high demand. He added if the Punjab Wildlife Department (PWD) allowed them to sale these birds, they could be reared at domestic level, he said.

PWD Rawalpindi Deputy Director Muhammad Javaid rejected the possibility, saying “as long as the dealers do business fairly, they are not discouraged but they will not be allowed to trade prohibited birds”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2012.