The recent apprehension of 40 Indian flapshell turtles by forest officials in Odisha has brought the topic of turtle smuggling into the spotlight. The said turtles were discovered concealed in baskets and were presumably part of a smuggling racket.
Indian Flapshell Turtle: An Overview
The Indian flapshell turtle is a freshwater species native to many states in India. Its scientific name is Lissemys punctata and it owes its common name to its unique femoral flaps on its plastron or ventral shell. These adaptable flaps allow this species of turtle to withdraw its limbs inside its shell as a safety measure against predation.
Despite being reasonably small with a carapace (shell) length extending up to 350 millimetres, the Indian flapshell turtle is known for its distinct soft-shell form.
Distribution
While widely dispersed in India, the population of the Indian flapshell turtles is not restricted solely to this country. They are found in various Asian regions including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh (primarily in Indus and Ganges drainages), and Myanmar (especially in Irrawaddy and Salween Rivers).
Being freshwater animals, they inhabit a wide range of water bodies such as rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, lakes, irrigation canals, and tanks. They showcase a preference for environments with sand or mud bottoms because of their innate burrowing tendencies.
Threats and Conservation Status
As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Indian flapshell turtle is categorised as “Vulnerable”. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has listed this species under Appendix II, which includes species that are not threatened with extinction but whose trade should be controlled. The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 also includes the turtle in its Schedule I.
The principal threats to this species include poaching and killing for various purposes. Some consider turtles potent aphrodisiacs, while others use them as livestock feed or to produce leather from their skins. In certain cases, potions are concocted from their blood, or they’re used as fishing bait. Culinary and medicinal purposes also drive the illegal turtle trade.
Key Measures Taken for Conservation
In response to these challenges, numerous conservation initiatives have been launched. The KURMA App is one such endeavour that provides a digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises found in India. It has been developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) in association with the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India.
Moreover, World Turtle Day is celebrated every year on the 23rd of May, highlighting the importance of turtles in our ecosystems and drawing attention to the conservation efforts necessary for their survival.
