Latest news with #OperationKurma
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
PTR unveils anti-trafficking drive on World Turtle Day
Pilibhit: Authorities at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) have unveiled a long-term strategic plan to curb illegal turtle trafficking, promote scientific conservation, and restore habitats, coinciding with World Turtle Day observed on May 23. The initiative highlights the region's rich freshwater turtle diversity. The plan includes rehabilitating identified turtle traffickers by linking them with govt-subsidised pisciculture schemes as a sustainable livelihood option. This is the first initiative of its kind in Uttar Pradesh. "Once offered a viable, state-supported alternative, traffickers are expected to abandon the illegal trade," said Manish Singh, divisional forest officer of PTR. India is home to 30 freshwater turtle species, 26 of which are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. According to Dr Shailendra Singh, director of the Turtle Survival India Foundation, Uttar Pradesh ranks third in turtle diversity after Assam and West Bengal, with 15 identified species—13 of them found in Pilibhit's rivers, lakes, Sharda Sagar Dam, and other water bodies. Eleven are protected under Schedule I. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Freshwater turtles are frequently smuggled to countries including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand. Their parts are used in traditional medicine, while their meat, eggs, and even blood are consumed in some communities for protein or performance enhancement. PTR's renewed focus follows the identification of the Pilibhit-Kheri region as one of the five most sensitive turtle-trafficking zones in Uttar Pradesh by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) during its 2018 Operation Kurma. As part of its conservation efforts, PTR is also setting up a turtle conservation and research centre on a 28.2 km stretch of the River Mala within the reserve. The Rs 5 crore project, approved earlier this year, will be funded by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Dr Merwyn Fernandes, coordinator of TRAFFIC India—a global wildlife trade monitoring network—said that Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the country's major hotspots for turtle trafficking. From 2009 to 2019, 111,310 tortoises and freshwater turtles were rescued from across 19 states and two union territories, averaging more than 11,000 annually. Between 2018 and 2023 alone, the WCCB seized 68,538 turtles during nationwide operations. In addition to trafficking, turtles face threats from poaching, riverside cultivation of cucurbits that destroy nesting sites, and unchecked sand mining. "To ensure coordinated enforcement and strengthen conservation, we've convened a meeting on May 23 with officials from the police, railways, road transport, and irrigation departments," said PTR DFO Manish Singh.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Pilibhit SP prioritises crackdown on wildlife crime
Pilibhit: Newly posted SP Abhishek Yadav on Monday announced that Pilibhit police would prioritise the crackdown on wildlife crimes in coordination with the forest department. Addressing his first press conference, Yadav said police would closely monitor suspected wildlife criminals and take proactive steps to prevent offences. Those involved would also face action under the Gangster Act, he said. Citing reports from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) on turtle smuggling from UP to coastal areas and then abroad, Yadav said police would conduct surprise checks along railway routes and highways in collaboration with the railway and transport departments. Notably, Pilibhit's water bodies — including nine rivers, lakes, and the Sharda Sagar dam — are home to 13 turtle species, 11 of which are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. In 2018, the WCCB identified the Pilibhit-Kheri belt as one of UP's five most sensitive zones for turtle trafficking during 'Operation Kurma'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Yadav also said that those illegally felling trees in protected forests and aiding wildlife criminals would be targeted. The SP also announced a new cybercrime helpline for citizens to quickly report online frauds. Police officials will also personally follow up with complainants to monitor police response and build public trust, he said.
