A report in mid-day on pets and exotic animals being dumped inside the Aarey Colony has triggered the call to regulate the sale and breeding of such species. Pawan Sharma, the honorary wildlife warden of Thane, has urged Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray to bring out rules to put more checks and balances in the trade.

“This is with reference to controlling, monitoring and regulating the sale of exotic wildlife in Mumbai city and across the state. As we are aware that exotic species are invasive and a threat to our native species of flora and fauna if introduced and can further be dangerous for the whole food chain,” Sharma said in a letter to the minister.