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Parrot Trade Mystery: No Licenses, Yet Birds Abound
21 Nov
Summary
- No registered breeders or pet shops for African grey parrots exist.
- CITES Appendix I listed parrots require special trade permits.
- South Indian states are identified as exotic pet trade hubs.
A significant gap exists in the trade of African grey parrots, a species listed as endangered. Despite their extensive availability in pet markets, forest departments report no registered breeders or authorized pet shops. These parrots, listed under CITES Appendix I, necessitate special permits for any trade, yet such registrations are reportedly absent across many Indian states.
While Kerala has received registration applications, other states provided vague responses or claimed the species wasn't found in their areas, indicating a misunderstanding or lack of data. Experts highlight that exotic species like these, now protected under law, require mandatory registration on the PARIVESH 2.0 portal by both pet shops and owners.
South Indian states, specifically Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, are identified as major hubs for the import and trade of exotic species, including African grey parrots. Despite the legal framework, challenges in implementation persist, leading to unregistered breeding and sales, posing risks of zoonotic diseases and invasive species.
