Operation “Kachchhap”

Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a successful operation called “Kachchhap”.

Operation Kachchhap:

• This operation resulted in the recovery of the 955 live baby turtles, including species like the Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Crown River Turtle, Black Spotted/Pond Turtle, and Brown Roofed Turtle.
• The DRI had received intelligence about a syndicate engaged in the illegal trafficking and trading of these turtles, some of which are considered vulnerable or near-threatened species according to the IUCN Red List and are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Indian Gangetic turtle has tube-like snout and incredibly flattened shell.
• They have a round to oval, smooth upper shell (carapace), which is olive or green in colour with a yellow border.
• The limbs are also green, while the shell on the underside of the turtle’s body is grey to cream.
• It has a broad head, with several black stripes running from the centre towards the sides
• This large softshell inhabits deep rivers, streams, and large canals, lakes and ponds with mud and sand bottoms.
• They are mostly omnivorous, eating not only mollusks, insects, fish, amphibians, waterfowl and carrion, but aquatic plants as well.

Major Threats:

• Habitat loss due to the pollution, closure of canals, introduction of dams, tidal barrages, channelization, flood plain drainage and partial threats are the expansion of agriculture.
• Commercial exploitation due to professional fishing and meat consumption.
• Reduction of fish stock, as a result of overfishing.