PANAJI: The rescue of 19 turtles from poachers by wildlife activists in Mayem, Bicholim recently and the arrest of four persons in November 2013 at Salvador do Mundo for a similar office is just the tip of the iceberg, say activists.
The clandestine activities of catching the endangered species of turtles and frogs goes on unnoticed, but is only exposed when alert activists trap the poachers red-handed.
"The forest department should step up its vigil as turtles are being caught for its meat and other purposes," an activist said.
The 19 turtles were being carried in a cement bag by two persons, but when they saw the activists at Bhavkai, Mayem they dropped the bag and ran away.
In the recent past, several other cases have been reported. Activists suspect that turtles are in demand for their meat and also for medicinal purposes and may be witchcraft. Though it is not confirmed speculation is rife that some parts of the turtle are being used used for weird purposes.
In Goa, turtles surface on land from dried up water bodies and dig up pits in the sand and spend months in hibernation. Some villagers ferret them out using sharp metal objects affixed to a baton. They keep hitting the ground with the pointed end, which hits the carapace if a turtle is hidden beneath.
A forest department official stated that it is difficult to keep track of such activities all over the state and requested villagers to inform them of any activities detrimental to wild life.
