The Indian Roofed Turtle, scientifically known as Pangshura tecta, is being protected by a unique initiative in the Lota Devi temple pond located in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. Two NGOs – the Society for Protecting Ophiofauna and Animal Rights (SPOAR) and the Wildlife Trust of India – have joined forces to install an idol of Vishnu in his Kurma (turtle) avatar at the temple complex; aiming to use devotees’ religious sentiments to reduce pollution in the pond. The Kurma avatar, as per Hindu mythology, is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu who assumed the form of a turtle to support the foundation of the cosmos.
Indian Roofed Turtle’s Habitat and Geographic Reach
These turtles generally inhabit small rivers, stagnant water bodies, and occasionally large rivers. Their geographical range extends across Pakistan, India (particularly in the drainages of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus Rivers), Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Protection Status of the Indian Roofed Turtle
The Indian Roofed Turtle is listed under Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Flora and Fauna and Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. According to the IUCN Red List, it falls under the category of Low Risk, Least Concern. CITES specifically prohibits international trade in species listed under Appendix 1, except for non-commercial purposes such as scientific research. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides these species with absolute protection, prescribing the highest penalties for offences against them.
GM Mustard Trial
In related news, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which is responsible for decisions related to genetically modified organisms in India, has deferred a decision on permitting tests to study the impact of GM mustard on the honeybee population. The GM mustard in question, named Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH -11), has been developed by a team of scientists at Delhi University under a government-funded project.
What is DMH-11?
DMH-11 uses three genes from a soil bacterium to make self-pollinating plants such as mustard susceptible to hybridization. This technique provides local crop developers with an opportunity to easily develop custom traits of mustard like higher oil content and pest resistance. However, concerns related to biodiversity, health, ecology, etc. have been raised about DMH-11. Environmental activists, in particular, have opposed the approval of DMH-11, warning that the transgenic variety could be harmful to the survival of honeybees.
About Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
The GEAC operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). It is tasked with appraising activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants from an environmental perspective. The committee also appraises proposals related to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials. The GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).