The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued new guidelines for the deportation of animals brought into India illegally, a move welcomed by wildlife experts and anti-exotic pet trade campaigners. The aim is to ensure safe, legally compliant deportation of such animals by all aircraft operators and airlines. In July, the DGCA issued a circular outlining the procedure for deporting live animals detected as unbeknownst imports, cases where passengers bring in live animals without proper declaration or clearance.

Under existing Animal Quarantine & Certification Services (AQCS) and Indian Customs rules, these animals must be sent back immediately to their country of origin, with intimation to all relevant authorities there. The transport of animals and birds by air is already governed under Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 9 of 1985. The new circular builds on this, ensuring compliance with updated instructions from Indian Customs, AQCS and other agencies. It applies to all airlines operating in India.

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