Mumbai: After FPJ reported about the strongly worded appeal addressed to the state revenue and forest department, by the animal welfare activist Sunish Subramanian Kunju, also founder of Amma Care Foundation (ACF) and Plant & Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai, highlighted the alarming rise in illegal trafficking of exotic wildlife species into India through international airports and land routes, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new directive, Operations Circular, holding airlines solely responsible for the deportation of live animals brought into India by passengers without proper declaration or clearance.
DGCA Issues New Directive to Airlines
The circular, dated July 23rd, 2025, addresses the increasing instances of "unbeknownst imports" of live animals and aims to ensure safe and legally compliant deportation.
The letter written by Sunish had pointed out to a highly organised wildlife trafficking network, that Mumbai International Airport had emerged as a particularly critical entry point.
“There exists no dedicated or officially authorised facility at Mumbai airport for handling, quarantine, or treatment of seized exotic animals…. The creatures are transported in inhumane conditions, stuffed in bags, exposed to extreme stress, leading to high mortality in the absence of timely care,” the letter had stated.
Airlines Must Bear Deportation Costs
As per the circular, signed by Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of Civil Aviation, which is accessed by FPJ, it reads, that previously, the carriage of animals and birds by air was governed by Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 9 of 1985, but the new circular provides further guidance to align with the latest instructions from Indian Customs, Animal Quarantine & Certification Services (AQCS), and other relevant authorities.
Under the new guidelines, upon detection of any undeclared live animal imports, the airline that transported the animal will be responsible for its immediate deportation to the country of origin. This includes bearing all associated costs, such as animal handling, in-transit welfare, documentation, and repatriation logistics.
Mandatory Training & Passenger Advisory
To prevent such incidents, as per the circular, the airlines are now required to implement preventive mechanisms to detect and deter unauthorized carriage of live animals.
This includes adequately training staff at check-in counters, boarding gates, and in-flight operations on applicable customs, quarantine, and live animal transport regulations. Additionally, passenger advisories and signage regarding import restrictions on live animals must be prominently displayed.
“Before deportation, airlines must obtain valid instructions and orders from Indian Customs, AQCS, and other concerned authorities. They are also responsible for ensuring all necessary documentation, including animal identification, welfare compliance, health/veterinary clearance, and adherence to IATA Live Animal Regulations, is completed in coordination with relevant authorities,” reads the document.
7-Day Report Rule Introduced
Furthermore the document says that , airlines must submit a detailed report on the deportation operation to the DGCA within seven working days of its completion. A copy of this report must also be provided to the concerned Airport Director, Indian Customs, AQCS, and all other relevant authorities.
