New guidelines for import of exotic species

Key Facts:-

• Union Government has issued advisory to streamline the process for import and possession of exotic live species in India.
• The move comes as the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has raised global concern about illegal wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases.

What are exotic live species?

• Exotic live species are animal or plant species moved from their original range to a new one most often by people.
• Some of the most sought after exotic species in India are Ball python, Scarlet Macaw, sea turtles, sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps), marmoset, and grey African parrots.

What it includes? What it does not?

• According to the advisory, the phrase “exotic live species” includes “animals named under the Appendices I, II and III of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” and “does not include species from the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972”. 

Need for regulation:

• While the import of live exotic animals is covered under Customs Act in India, wildlife experts have long been asking for stringent laws and guidelines to document and regulate numbers of exotic species being kept as pets by individuals and breeders in India.
• Many citizens have kept CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) enlisted exotic animal species in their possession.
• However, there is no unified information system available of such stock of species at the State or Central level.
• Besides, often these species are illegally trafficked into the country to avoid lengthy documentation and scrutiny. 

As per the recently released guidelines:

• Environment Ministry will collect stock information from the holders of such species through voluntary disclosure in the next six months.
• The registration will be done for the stock of animals, new progeny, as well as for import and exchange.
• The declarer would not be required to produce any documentation in relation to the exotic live species if the same has been declared within six months of the date of the issue of the advisory.
• For any declaration made after six months, the declarer shall be required to comply with the documentation requirement under the extant laws and regulations.
• Further, a person trying to import a live exotic animal will have to submit an application for grant of a license to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the provisions of the advisory.
• The importer will also have to attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC) of the chief wildlife warden of the state concerned along with the application.

Implications and significance of this move:

• This will help in better management of the species and guide the holders about proper veterinary care, housing, and other aspects of the well-being of the species.
• The database of exotic animals will also help in the control and management of zoonotic diseases on which guidance would be available from time to time to ensure the safety of animals and humans.

Source: The Hindu