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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
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Wildlife deaths in Telangana highlight data gaps, enforcement challenges
Hyderabad: An RTI application filed by activist Robin Zaccheus has revealed that Telangana recorded 135 wildlife crime cases between 2014 and 2024, a small fraction of the 6,877 cases reported nationwide during the same period. Uttar Pradesh topped the national chart with 817 cases, followed by West Bengal (785), Tamil Nadu, and decade-long data, provided by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), highlights a troubling trend in Telangana. In 2023 alone, the state recorded 52 wildlife deaths—the highest in the past ten years. The number dropped to 23 in 2024, while poaching cases stood at four in 2023 and one in wildlife deaths in Telangana also included train collisions, with three reported in 2023 and one so far in 2024. Over the decade, 12 wildlife deaths due to other types of accidents were documented in the state, contributing to the nationwide total of 485. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh accounted for the highest number of such of transparency Reacting to the data, Zaccheus expressed concern over the WCCB's limited disclosures and lack of concrete action. He criticised the agency for repeatedly dismissing queries related to electrocution, habitat loss, and whistleblower complaints, either claiming the issues were 'not pertaining to WCCB' or rejecting the requests under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI alarming trends, including 461 elephant electrocutions nationwide between 2009 and 2017, and 49 elephants killed in train accidents between 2016 and 2018—activists say there has been no major policy shift or investment in preventive infrastructure. Zaccheus also raised concern over the persistently low conviction rate, reportedly hovering around 2% between 2012 and 2018 for wildlife for urgent intervention, he demanded the creation of a public database of all wildlife deaths, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and increased accountability in infrastructure development that affects wildlife habitats and respondTelangana chief wildlife warden Elusin Meru acknowledged the challenges, especially in Kagaznagar, a key tiger corridor where multiple species cross railway lines."There are currently two railway lines, and a third one is under construction. Earlier, there were no proper underpasses. Now, we are insisting on building underpasses to ensure safe passage for animals. The third broad gauge line is under assessment, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority along with the Wildlife Institute of India is expected to visit and evaluate the situation," he the issue of poaching, Meru added: "We are strengthening intelligence and surveillance systems. Camera traps are being used to monitor movement related to poaching. While the anti-poaching squad is based in Hyderabad, we also have operational squads in Nirmal and Amrabad, along with flying squad teams to respond to emerging threats."
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.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
16-Year-Old Breaks Down in Court and Shouts 'I Love You, Mama' After Being Charged as an Adult for Murder
A North Carolina teenager broke down in tears in court after being charged as an adult for murder. According to local media outlet WCCB, 16-year-old Sean Simpson was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of 16-year-old Zaquavious Dawkins in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Jan. 26. Appearing at Gaston County Courthouse on Jan. 29, Simpson was overcome with emotion as the judge read his charges and appointed him a capital defender. Simpson will be tried as an adult and is being held without bail, per WCCB. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, an amendment to North Carolina's "Raise the Age" law came into effect on Dec. 1, 2024, and allows 16 and 17-year-olds to be tried as adults for felonies A through E, which includes murder. Footage shared by WCCB showed Simpson crying and placing his head in his handcuffed hands. He then shouted, "I love you, Mama, I love you," as officers led him out of the courtroom. WCCB reported that Dawkins was walking to a store on North Chester Street to buy items for his disabled mother when Simpson allegedly shot him. "He gave me a kiss. He said, 'I'll be back.' I said, 'I love you too,' ' Dawkins' mother Tilise told local media outlet 7 News. PEOPLE has contacted the Gaston Police Department for comment. According to local media outlet the Gaston Gazette, a witness to the shooting told police that he and Simpson had fought the previous school year at Ashbrook High School. A boy who had been walking with Dawkins from a Family Dollar store on Jan. 26 told detectives that a black Tesla drove past them and a boy in the back seat — who he identified as Simpson — shouted something out of the window. Dawkins and his friend then began to run when the car returned again, but Simpson allegedly began shooting from the back of a vehicle, according to an affidavit submitted by officer J.R. Robinson, per the Gaston Gazette. Dawkins was found covered in blood in a parking lot and had a gunshot wound to his right shoulder, per Robinson's affidavit. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 'He was sweet,' Dawkins' aunt Denise Wilson told WCCB last month. 'He was kind. He would do anything for anybody. I mean, all you have to do is just say, 'Tank, will you go do this? Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir.' " '[You're] out here doing big boy things, and this is what's going to happen,' Wilson added to WCCB. 'You got to suffer the consequences.' Ashbrook High School also paid tribute to Dawkins in a Facebook post on Jan. 27. "Remembering Zaquavious 'Tank' Dawkins," they wrote alongside a photo of him. "The Green Wave family is heartbroken as we remember Zaquavious 'Tank' Dawkins, a truly special young man loved by so many." "Tank was not only a scholar-athlete but also a kind and thoughtful soul who touched the lives of everyone around him," the statement continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Tank will forever be a part of the Green Wave." They added, "Rest in peace, Tank. Your legacy will live on in our hearts." Two days after Dawkins' death, Simpson was arrested at Gaston Adolescent Center, where he had been undergoing treatment, per the Gaston Gazette. According to the center's website, the center treats 'children and adolescents that have significant emotional and behavioral difficulties.' Read the original article on People
