LUCKNOW: Local population would have the key role in turtle conservation in UP. In order to identify the potential, and so far undiscovered, important turtle area and habitat, the survey teams of the forest department and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) would involve local population in information-sharing process.
Based on public alerts, the survey teams would visit the spots and record presence and density of turtle population at the given spot. On the occasion of World Turtle Day on Monday, forest department signed an MoU with Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) for ten years to prepare an action plan for turtle conservation in the state.
"Creating awareness among people will be an important part of the plan," said PCCF (Wildlife), UP, Rupak De.
First, wetlands, big and small, will be identified through GIS mapping. Turtle habitats will be surveyed and documented. "It will also involve conservation of other aquatic animals like crocodiles and dolphins," said TSA-India Program Director, Shailendra Singh.
To curb poaching of turtles, Traffic-India, agency that works to control illegal wildlife trade, will also work in UP.
On Monday, forest department organised a workshop on turtle conservation. "Loss of habitat, poaching and trapping turtles for food and to be kept in aquariums and mining are threats that turtle population faces," said principal secretary, forest, Sanjiv Saran.
UP to release 27 turtles in rivers of the state
UP would soon release at least 27 turtles rescued in Bangalore in its rivers. Last year, it were 335 turtles rescued from Maharashtra which were released at Kukrail rehabilitation centre and later, in the wild. Kukrailcentre has become a preferred spot to release rescued north Indian species of turtles.
