138 exotic mammals, reptiles, birds rescued in Mizoram; three arrested

138 exotic mammals, reptiles, birds rescued in Mizoram; three arrested

Subject : Environment

Context : Sleuths of multiple government agencies seized 138 exotic wild mammals, reptiles and birds from Mizoram’s Champhai district bordering Myanmar.

Concept :

• The rescued animals include crocodile hatchlings, tortoises, pythons, Sumatran water monitors, four flame bowerbirds endemic to the rainforests of New Guinea, four serval cats from Africa, two marmosets native to South America and an albino wallaby.

Exotic Species:

• The term exotic does not have a set definition but it usually refers to a wild animal or one that is more unusual and rare than normal domesticated species.
• These are those species which are not usually native to an area and are introduced to an area by humans.

Provisions Related to Illegal Trade of species:

• Illegally traded exotic animals are confiscated under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962 which is read with the provision of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Foreign Trade Policy (Import-Export Policy) of India.
• CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. India is a party to it.
• Also, Sections 48 and 49 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibit trade or commerce in wild animals, animal articles or trophies.