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."
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