Parliament Question: Illegal Trade and Cruelty to Birds and Animals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2661 ANSWERED ON 4TH AUGUST, 2026 ILLEGAL TRADE AND CRUELTY TO BIRDS AND ANIMALS 2661. MS SAYANI GHOSH: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the illegal sale, transport and caging of birds and other animals in open markets across the country, if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of inspections conducted, cases registered, prosecutions launched and convictions secured during the last five years, State-wise; (c) whether the Government has reviewed the adequacy of penalties under the existing laws, if so, the details thereof; (d) the measures taken by the Government in coordination with State Governments to curb illegal wildlife and birds trade; and (e) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government to strengthen enforcement, surveillance and public awareness regarding animal cruelty? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (e) The Central Government has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978 (as amended), and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Egg Laying Hens) Rules, 2023, which prescribe welfare standards for the housing, sale, transport and handling of different categories of animals. Further, The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is enacted to provide protection of wild animals, birds and plants. Species specified in Schedules I and II of the Act are accorded a high degree of protection against hunting and other prohibited activities. Matters relating to illegal trade in wild animals and protected birds are dealt with under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The implementation and enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the above rules framed thereunder, as well as the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations through their designated enforcement agencies. Accordingly, information relating to inspections conducted, cases registered, prosecutions launched and convictions secured in respect of illegal sale, transport and caging of birds and other animals is maintained by the respective StateGovernments/Union Territory Administrations and the concerned enforcement agencies and is not maintained centrally by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Government of India has reviewed the existing penalties under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 which is very low and not having deterrent effect. As per the information received from Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the important steps taken for protection and conservation of species include: a) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence. b) A network of Protected Areas have been created in the country for protection of wildlife, including birds and their habitat. c) Financial assistance is provided to State Governments /UT Administrations for management of wildlife and development of its habitat under the Centrally sponsored schemes ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger & Elephant’ of MoEF&CC. d) A specific component of ‘Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats’ is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ of the MoEF&CC for focused conservation action on identified 25 critically endangered species. e) Eco Development activities are undertaken by the States Governments / UT administrations involving local communities in wildlife conservation. f) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has been set up under MoEF&CC to ensure co-ordination among various agencies and State Governments to combat organized wildlife crime. g) Advisories and alerts are issued to State and Central agencies by the WCCB for preventive action on poaching and illegal wildlife trade. h) The law enforcement agencies like Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, etc who assist in control of wildlife crime have been trained by the WCCB. i) India is a Party to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) and coordinates with international agencies in control of wildlife crime. j) Technology like camera traps, drones, wireless, e-surveillance, etc. are used for monitoring of wild animals, detecting illegal intrusions, early warning system. Further, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying through Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) coordinates with the State Governments and State Animal Welfare Boards creates public awareness regarding animal cruelty through issuance of advisories. The Government of India also issues advisories to State Governments/UT Administrations for implementation of provisions of Acts and Rules. ****