Published: 5th Oct, 2023
Context:
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.
About Gangetic Turtles:
- 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.
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