Red Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga)

About

• It is a freshwater turtle species, and found in deep flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites.
• Distribution:
• It is native to India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India and Bangladesh.
• It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin. Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only area with substantial population of the species.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN : Critically Endangered
  • IWPA : Schedule I
  • CITES : Appendix II
• Characteristics: In comparison to their female counterparts, the males are shorter and reach only half their length.
• Major Threats:
  • Loss or degradation of habitat due to pollution and large scale development activities like water extraction for human consumption and irrigation and irregular flow from the upstream dams and reservoirs.
  • Sand mining and growing of seasonal crops along Ganga River are majorly affecting the sandbars along the river that are used by the species for nesting.
  • Drowning by illegal fishing nets.
  • Poaching and illegal trade.

About CITES:

• CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
• Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words they have to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws.
• Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.