Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle rescued

Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle rescued

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Biodiversity

In news

• Indian peacock softshell turtle, a turtle of a vulnerable species was rescued from a fish market in Assam’s Silchar.

Important value addition

• The Indian peacock softshell turtle [Nilssonia hurum] is a species of turtle found in South Asia.
• IUCN Red list status: Vulnerable species.
• Schedule I species in the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• This species is confined to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• In india, it is widespread in the northern and central parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• These are found in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds with mud or sand bottoms.
• Major Threats: (1) Heavily exploited for its meat and calipee; (2) Reduction of fish stock, due to overfishing, pollution, increase in river traffic, and sand-mining, among others.
  

Do you know?

• According to a report by Guwahati-based conservation NGO, Help Earth, 29 species of turtles have been recorded in India, out of which 20 are found in Assam.