Why in the News?
The Social Forestry Department of Vadodara rescued an Albino Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) from a freshwater lake in Chikhodra, Gujarat.
About Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata):
- Type: Small, freshwater softshell turtle native to South Asia
- Unique Feature: Named for femoral flaps on the plastron that cover the limbs when retracted
- Geographic Range: Found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar
- River Systems: Occurs in the Indus, Ganges, Irrawaddy, and Salween basins
- Habitat: Prefers shallow, quiet freshwater bodies like rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, tanks, and canals with muddy or sandy bottoms for burrowing
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES Listing: Appendix II
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (maximum protection)
- Major Threats:
- Poaching for meat, blood-based potions, aphrodisiacs, and traditional medicine
- Illegal trade for fishing bait, livestock feed, leather, and exotic pets
- Habitat loss due to pollution, encroachment, and waterbody destruction
- Albino individuals especially targeted in the illegal pet market
| [UPSC 2013] Consider the following fauna of India:
1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer Which of the above is/are endangered? Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3* (d) None |
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