CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation, the endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) has been spotted once again in the Ganga River after an absence of nearly 30 years. This remarkable comeback reflects the positive impact of sustained ecological restoration and habitat protection efforts in the region.
About Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle
The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle, also referred to as the Bengal Roof Turtle, is a freshwater turtle species native to the Indian subcontinent.
Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga
Distribution and Habitat
Historically, this turtle inhabited the major river systems of northern India, particularly the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, extending into parts of Bangladesh and Nepal. However, due to habitat degradation and exploitation, its range has dramatically shrunk.
Today, the most viable and stable population of this species is found in the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The recent sightings in the Ganga mark a hopeful sign of range re-expansion.
Physical Characteristics
Adult females can grow up to 56 cm in shell length and weigh as much as 25 kilograms.
Males are significantly smaller, usually reaching about half the size of the females.
The species is easily identifiable by the bright reddish-orange markings on the head, complemented by a distinct black stripe or “crown.”
Its upper shell, or carapace, is greenish-brown with yellowish patterns, while the plastron (underside) is yellow with black blotches.
The turtle has a wide head, strong jaws adapted for crushing food, and webbed feet suited for aquatic movement.
Diet and Behavior
This omnivorous species consumes a variety of aquatic vegetation, small invertebrates, fish, and carrion. It plays a vital ecological role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation Status
The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is facing critical threats from pollution, sand mining, habitat loss, illegal poaching, and dam construction that disrupts river flow and nesting grounds.
Its official protection designations include:
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I – the highest level of legal protection
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix II – regulates international trade to avoid exploitation
Significance Of Ganga Reappearance
The turtle's reemergence in the Ganga is being hailed as a testament to the effectiveness of India’s river conservation programs, such as Namami Gange, which focus on reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and restoring aquatic habitats. Conservationists are now hopeful that targeted breeding and habitat interventions may further aid in reviving this species across its historic range.
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