The Forest Department yesterday seized 286 birds of three species from a residence at Uttara in the city. Forrest officials said though the birds are pet ones, they seized the birds as those were smuggled in. The seized species -- Love Birds, Rose Ring Parakeet and Australian Parakeet -- were kept in 40 cases at a house of Kawsar Ahmed of Road-13 at Section-7 of Uttara. Forrest officials said the birds were smuggled by Pakistani national Mohammad Nomanuddin. He had been carrying out the illegal business in collaboration with one Bazlur Rahman. Nomanuddin, however, told the forest officials that he has legal papers and customs clearance of the birds. Forest Department Assistant Conservator Hossain Mohammad Nishat, who led the drive, told The Daily Star that "Customs department has no authority to provide clearance without the permission from the forest department.' The forest officials said they seized passport of the Pakistani national and the birds were kept under the custody of Kawsar. He said a case will be filed with the court in this connection.