The battle to bring freshwater turtles back from the brink
The HinduOn November 27, West Bengal Police seized 270 kg of turtle calipee in Malda district. In a move to curb turtle trafficking, earlier this month, the Conference of the Parties adopted India’s proposal to transfer two species of freshwater turtles found in the country — the red-crowned roofed turtle and the Leith’s Softshell Turtle — to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora. Experts in the field, such as Mr. Singh, point at a 2019 study by TRAFFIC India titled ‘Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Under Siege’ to help non-experts comprehend the magnitude of the illegal trade in a decade. Species such as the Indian roofed turtle, black-spotted turtle and red-crowned roofed turtle as well as the Indian star tortoise are in huge demand in both the national and international illegal pet trade. “A red corner notice was issued against the accused in the case, whose investigation led us to foreign countries,” Mr. Sirothiya said, explaining how national and international networks operate the illegal turtle trade.
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