India, July 3 -- The exotic pet trade in India has grown from a niche activity into a significant operating industry which now stands at a crucial intersection of legal commerce, illegal trafficking, and organised crime with ecological and ethical concerns, a new report has highlighted.

The 2020 Voluntary Disclosure Scheme revealed over 40,000 individuals across 30 states and union territories keeping exotic pets, according to the report, though this likely represents only a fraction of actual ownership. Valued at approximately US$ 42.6 million in 2024, industry estimates project the market to grow to US$ 75.8 million by 2030.

These estimates are considering a compound annual growth rate of 10.2 per cent.

The analysis also highlights c...