Home / Environment / UN Wildlife Body Reverses India Import Ban
UN Wildlife Body Reverses India Import Ban
24 Nov
Summary
- UN wildlife trade body reversed recommendation against India's animal imports.
- Four nations, including US and Japan, backed India's stance.
- Vantara zoo faced allegations of improper endangered animal imports.
The UN's wildlife trade body, CITES, has rescinded its earlier recommendation to halt India's imports of endangered wild animals. This significant reversal came after several nations, including India, the United States, Japan, and Brazil, argued that the directive was premature and lacked sufficient evidence of illegal activities. The scrutiny was initiated following allegations against Vantara, a large zoo operated by the Reliance conglomerate, concerning the improper importation of exotic species.
CITES had previously advised India against issuing further import permits after identifying discrepancies in trade data and insufficient checks on animal origins during a facility visit. However, during a recent meeting, the committee noted a lack of support for maintaining the recommendation. This decision allows India to proceed with its animal import activities, although some entities, like the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, advocated for continued export suspension until concerns were fully addressed.
Vantara, which houses approximately 2,000 species and previously stated its commitment to legal compliance, had also been cleared by a Supreme Court-appointed investigation in India. Despite the international body's reversed stance, the European Union had indicated it would monitor future export requests to India closely, signaling ongoing attention to animal trade practices.
