Ludhiana, Illegal bird trade is going on in the city in the garb of exotic bird trade. The business not only violates the Wildlife Protection Act but also poses a threat of bird flu as birds which are often transported from West Bengal, may carry the virus from there and spread it to those in the state. Experts claim that most of the exotic birds are brought to the city from Burdman in West Bengal where bird flu has already spread. If this process goes on unchecked, poultry in Punjab is also at risk. The fact came to light when bird trader Hanif from Islam Ganj area was nabbed here on July 9. He was carrying numerous exotic bird species, including parrots, the trade of which is prohibited under the Wild Life Protection Act. When Hanif was produced before the forest department officials, he opened the cage and let the parrots free so that he was not booked under the WPA. Later, on July 14, another person was found holding black kite captive and was trying to sell it by passing it off as a falcon. He was nabbed and the matter was reported to the district forest officer. No action was, however, taken against him. The birds were shifted to PFA shelter.