New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): On the eve of Endemic Bird Day census, the Humane Society International/India (HSI/India) on Saturday appealed to forest and police departments across the country to focus on curbing illegal trade in endemic birds species.

"We call upon all state forest and police departments to take cognizance of illegal trade in the endemic bird species and help bring back the birds to their rightful home within our nation's forests," HSI/India managing director N.G. Jayasimha said in a statement.

HSI/India is an NGO that has been making concerted efforts to highlight the plight of indigenous and endemic wild species that are suffering at the hands of the illegal trade.

"Traders are aware of the legal implications of selling the indigenous species of birds, many of which have specific protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1962.

"But high customer demand, insufficient monitoring by enforcement authorities and lack of awareness among the public have all contributed to this trade going largely unchecked," Jayasimha said.