482 rare turtles found dead in UP pond

Etawah : Close to 654 Indian flapshell turtles have been recovered from a pond in Bharthana in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah district on Wednesday. Sadly, 482 turtles were found to be dead and the rest 172 were severely sick. The turtle belonged to Lissemys punctata species, which is a protected species under The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The forest department, on the basis of tip-off, raided  the area and recovered the turtles. But, the turtle smugglers fleed from the spot.

According to the Forest Department, the turtles, locally known as Sundhari, were caught from different locations by an active gang.

After the news broke, the kingpin of the gang, Raj Kapoor hid the turtle in the pond. The Forest Department with the help of local police launched the operation and found turtles following the crackdown.

"The smuggled turtles are used for making soup. People also believe that they are used to increase their sex power," said Dr Ashish, environmentalist

The news has created tension among wildlife lovers. Smuggling of animals is increasing day by day. It is high time for the government and forest departments to make strict rules so that the nation’s rare species stay protected within the boundary of the country.