(a) whether a large number of exotic birds are exported from the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year;
(c) whether the Government has issued any licence in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of licences issued so far?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (d) As per the EXIM policy of India, the export of live exotic birds is prohibited except for Albino budgerigars, Budgerigars, Bengali finches, White finches, Zebra finches and Jawa sparrow. The Albino budgerigars, Budgerigars, Bengali finches, White finches and Zebra finches are free to export as per the provisions of EXIM policy subject only to pre-shipment inspection. The export of Jawa sparrow is restricted and it is permitted under license, which is issued after certification from the Chief Wildlife Warden of the concerned State/Union Territory where the exotic birds have been procured to the effect that the birds to be exported are from Captive Bred Stock. Exports, if allowed, are subject to pre-shipment inspection and provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
As per the information available with the Ministry, the details of export of exotic birds during the last three years, and during the current year are as follows:
S. No. Species Birds exported during the year (Number)
2009 2010 2011 2012
1. Budgerigar 0 18865 124210 39160 2. Zebra finch 0 3700 4190 4125