Indian Roofed Turtles (Pangshura tecta) and a Rose Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) seized from Crawford Market in Mumbai.
Indian roofed turtle gets its name because of the typical shape of it's carapace. The fresh water turtle is native to south asia. This species of turtle is preferred to be kept as a pet because of which the species is illegally traded. It is therefore, that the Indian roofed turtle has been protected under schedule 1 of wildlife protection act 1972.
In a joint raid conducted by Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA), Spreading Awareness on Reptiles and Rehabilitation Programme (SARRP), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and Anti-Poaching Unit of Forest department seized 20 Indian Roofed turtles from a person at Crawford Market inumbai on June 23, 2019.
The person possessing the turtles was arrested from Mandavi BP lane Mumbai. It was further discovered that he is already booked for illegal wildlife trade.
Upon the Tipoff from the members of WWA and SARRP India to the concerned authority, further investigation was carried and to check for further leads. On checking his mobile phone it come to the notice of the investigating team that, he was involved in trading of a parakeet.On the basis of the information gatheres, one rose ring parakeet was seized from his house.
Indian roofed turtle is protected under scheduled 1 and Parakeet under schedule 4 of wildlife protection act 1972 . Preliminary offence report was registered under sec 9, 39, 48a, 49, 49a, 50 and 51 of wildlife protection act 1972.
Despite last weeks raid by Directorate of revenue intelligence at Crawford market this illegal trade is continue. Government should take some strong steps to end this trade permanently.
This operation was carried under supervision of Yuvraj Gite, Range Forest Officer, Anti-Poaching unit.
Vijay Nandeshwar and Lalit Pawar from WCCB participated in the above operation.
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