Are there any legal issues for keeping red ear sliders as pets in INDIA?

Red ear sliders are foregin species in our country and hence are a danger to native turtle species. Can any one reply me by stating if any legal issues are concerned with keeping red ear sliders in INDIA as pets? If any, can the appropriate reference matter be cited, by the person providing the answer. Thankyou.

Are there any legal issues for keeping red ear sliders as pets in INDIA?
There seems to be some confusion on this issue, as most pet shop owners would tell you. The entire situation seems to have arisen due to the ignorant enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 by the cops. As we understand, it might be illegal to keep Indian species of turtles, especially because they are generally wild-caught and not bred for sale.





We await more information on this issue from some legal resources we have tapped. Meanwhile, to be on the safe side we suggest you stick to the turtles generally available with pet shops - these are red-eared sliders, also known as "imported" or "Singapore" turtles and have been bred for commercial purposes. Keeping 1 or 2 of these turtles should be legal, as the reply below suggests!





Reply from Lt.Col. A .R Nageshkar, Secretary ,BSPCA , Mumbai. On whether keeping turtles is illegal in India?:


"In general keeping a single common turtle as pet is allowed. However, it is illegal to keep more numbers without necessary permission."



health care