News Excerpt:

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Zonal Unit, Lucknow, seized 436 baby Indian Tent turtles from a person illegally transporting them interstate.

About Indian Tent Turtle:

Distribution:

• The species is native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with three subspecies recorded from the region viz., P. t. tentoria, P. t. circumdata and P. t. Flaviventer.
• P. t. tentoria occurs in peninsular India and is recorded from Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
• P. t. circumdata occurs in the western tributaries of the Ganga and the rivers of Gujarat. It is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
• P. t. flaviventer occurs in the northern tributaries of Ganga and is recorded from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.

Characteristics, Habitat and Behaviour:

• The size of the carapace ranges from 20 cm to 26.5 cm, depending on the subspecies.
• The colour of the turtles also varies according to each subspecies.
• The subspecies tentoria has an olive or brownish head with a red postocular spot, and the carapace is brown in colour.
• The head of subspecies circumdata is olive green with pink postocular spot; the carapace is brownish olive green in colour.
• Subspecies flaviventer has a brownish olive colour head with pink patch behind the eyes, the carapace is brownish olive.
• The males are smaller than the females in size and have longer and thicker tails.
• The tentoria subspecies have a moderately small and pointed head that is shorter than the orbit.
• Their carapace is oval and elevated with a distinct vertebral keel that is spiked.
• Its habitats include still water pools on river side and slow running water near the river banks.
• These are active swimmers and are mainly herbivorous.

Initiatives by the government to protect wildlife and its habitats, including for Indian tent turtle species:

• Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been created in the country covering important habitats to provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.
• Financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats”, for providing better protection to wildlife and improvement of habitat.
• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for stringent punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
• The local communities are involved in conservation measures through eco-development activities which help the forest departments in protection of wildlife.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) coordinates with State/UTs and other enforcement agencies to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles.

Prelims PYQ

Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)

1. Some species of turtles are herbivores.
2. Some species of fish are herbivores.
3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.
4. Some species of snakes are viviparous.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only 

(c) 2 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? (UPSC 2017)

(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.

(d) Both B and C stated above are correct in this context.