HYDERABAD: In the Hyderabad’s Pet Expo 2017, one of the star attraction was Manesh Varma’s pet Iguana. To get the 2-year old lizard from its South and Central American native countries, Varma had to transit the animal through three countries. The practice of importing of exotic animals to India though not illegal yet, is not looked upon favourably by the forest and wildlife department.
“It’s not easy to own an exotic pet in India, the Wildlife Protection Act prohibits owning exotic Indian species and those who wish to own one are marked as sellers or traffickers,” says the youth who is into his family business. Verma also owns an Argentinian Tegu, squirrel monkey, macaw parrots, tarantulas ferrets and even a ball python among other animals. Verma’s pet iguana sourced from Mexico first made its way to USA, from where it was flown to a European country.
The Iguana was then sold to a dealer in Bangladesh from where it found its way to Kolkatta. “I bought the Iguana from Kolkata, many of the other exotic animals I bought them at Crawford market in Mumbai, “ added Varma and insists that he did not procure the animals for trade. The 2013 amendment of the Wildlife Protection Act extends protection to exotic species and also curbs their trade and even breeding. Though introduced in the Rajya Sabha, the bill is yet to come up for discussion.
Forest department officials say, there is nothing they can do in the meantime. “The showcasing of exotic animals when an act like this is on the way reflects our helplessness,” said an official with the forest department, “We do get applications for owning these animals but don’t entertain them,” he added. The only law that can come to the rescue of exotic wildlife in India are some clauses under Customs Act, 1962. “But proving smugglers guilty and penalising them is harder under that law,” added the offical.