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Day: November 26, 2025

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New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

African Grey Parrot Trade in India

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

  • A series of RTI applications filed by The Hindu across 19 States/UTs revealed that most State Forest Departments have no records of breeders, pet shops, or ownership registrations for the African Grey Parrot, despite the species being widely available in pet markets.
  • Only Kerala reported receiving 17 breeder licence applications through the PARIVESH portal, exposing major gaps in India’s monitoring of exotic species trade.

About Species Profile

  • African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
  • IUCN Status: Endangered
  • CITES Status: Appendix I (Highest level of protection; commercial international trade highly restricted)
  • WPA 1972: Listed under Schedule IV (post-2022 amendments)

Legal & Regulatory Framework (India)

Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024

  • Mandatory registration of all exotic live species on PARIVESH 2.0.
  • Applies to: Pet owners, Pet shops and Breeders.

Breeders of Species Licence Rules, 2023

To breed any CITES Appendix I species, an applicant must possess:

  • Breeding Licence from State Chief Wildlife Warden
  • CITES Import Permit
  • DGFT Import Licence Number
  • NOC from State Chief Wildlife Warden prior to import

Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972

  • African Grey Parrot → Schedule IV
  • Illegal possession/trade punishable under WPA
With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

(1) IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments. 

(2) IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments. 

(3) CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Food Safety Standards – FSSAI, food fortification, etc.

Auramine O Adulteration in Food: A Persistent Food-Safety Challenge in India

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields,Food Processing & Related Industries In India

Why in the News?

  • Recent inspections by state food-safety departments and laboratory analyses by academic institutions have once again detected the presence of Auramine O — a banned industrial dye — in sweets, savoury items, and brightly coloured chickpeas sold in public.

What is Auramine O?

  • A synthetic bright yellow industrial dye.
  • Uses: textiles, leather, printing inks, paper, microbiological staining.
  • Not permitted as food colour in India, USA, EU, or most countries.
  • IARC Classification: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Why is Auramine O Harmful?

  • Toxicological risks:
    • Liver & kidney damage
    • Spleen enlargement
    • Mutagenic effects
    • Potential carcinogenicity
    • Organ lesions even at low doses

How Does Auramine Enter the Food Chain?

  • Cheap industrial dyes are sold informally in markets.
  • Used by small vendors to mimic:
    • Saffron
    • Turmeric
    • Approved synthetic colours
  • Usage spikes during festivals when brightly coloured sweets/snacks are in demand.
  • Lack of awareness and cost pressure lead to misuse.

Commonly Adulterated Food Items

  • Bright yellow chickpeas
  • Laddus, peda, halwa
  • Namkeen, mixtures
  • Pickles and condiments

Regulatory Framework – India

Food Safety and Standards Act (2006)

  • Defines adulteration.
  • Penalties: fines + imprisonment (for injury/death).

FSSAI Initiatives

  • Sampling & crackdown during festive seasons.
  • Seizures of illegal dyes and prosecution.
  • New order: bold, larger nutritional information on labels.
  • Awareness programs for:
    • Micro and small enterprises
    • Street vendors

 

Consider the following statements: (2018)

  1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 
  2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only 
  2. 2 only 
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

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