Kaziranga mahouts caught for consuming rare freshwater turtles
Three mahouts were arrested for capturing and consuming turtles under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
Kaziranga mahouts caught for consuming rare freshwater turtles
Three mahouts were arrested for capturing and consuming turtles under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
• WPA— The Act was enacted for the protection of plants and
animal species. Apart from providing protection to wildlife under its sections I, II, III, and IV, it also provides for creation of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks as well ss various bodies like National Board for Wildlife, National Tiger Conservation Authority etc.
• About the freshwater turtle— the WPA prohibits hunting, trade or any other form of utilisation of turtles and tortoise species or their body parts and derivatives.
All turtle and tortoise species from India are listed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora).
Along Indian rivers, the maximum diversity of freshwater turtles is found in the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries.
• About Kaziranga N.P. and T.R. — it was declared as a National Park in 1974 and a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.
• It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International
• Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species - Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.