The innovative mobile-based application, KURMA, is the latest development in conservation initiatives. Aimed at turtle conservation, this technology was launched on the occasion of World Turtle Day on May 23. KURMA is a product of collaboration between the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN), the Turtle Survival Alliance-India, and the Wildlife Conservation Society-India.
About KURMA
KURMA is an interactive and informative digital platform that aims to conserve turtles. It boasts a built-in digital field guide featuring 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises native to India. This app not only helps in identifying various turtle species but also provides information regarding their distribution, vernacular names, and the threats they face.
The Objective of the KURMA App
This mobile application serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides users with a comprehensive database for identifying turtle species. The app also facilitates the location tracking of the nearest rescue centers for turtles across the country, making it a crucial tool in times of emergencies. Additionally, it offers advice about the reported species and the necessary steps for its conservation. In due course, as the app accumulates a sizeable database, KURMA will start identifying species automatically through artificial intelligence.
Present Scenario
Tortoises and freshwater turtles face alarming threats and are among the most trafficked species in the country. A report released by TRAFFIC in 2019 revealed that at least 11,000 tortoises and freshwater turtles become victims of illegal poaching and smuggling every year. This number adds up to over 1,11,130 turtles being poached or smuggled from September 2009 to September 2019.
Conservation Challenges
Wildlife conservation, particularly for freshwater turtles, is laden with challenges. One major issue is the inadequate preparedness of wildlife crime prevention agencies. These agencies often lack the necessary knowledge and tools to distinguish one turtle species from another. Furthermore, they are not well-versed with the protection status of these creatures in accordance with international regulations such as the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and local laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
About the Turtle Survival Alliance
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was established in 2001 as a partnership under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for sustainable captive management of freshwater turtles and tortoises. The alliance was formed as a response to the Asian Turtle Crisis, which was essentially the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtle populations catering to Chinese markets. Operating under the mission ‘Zero Turtle Extinctions in the 21st Century’, the TSA is an instrumental body in global turtle conservation efforts.
