Tortoise Conservation

In Context

Over 400 tortoises are in the pond of Thoroth Addukath Bhagavathi Temple in Kasaragod.

About Tortoise

They are exclusively terrestrial and occur on all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
They also inhabit many islands, although numerous island populations and species are now extinct because of human occupation.
Most tortoises are vegetarians and eat foliage, flowers, and fruits; some tortoise species from moist forest habitats are more opportunistic and consume animal matter.

Importance

Turtles and tortoises are important for the earth and to maintain its ecological balance.
Though these creatures have survived in a variety of environments and habitats around the world, today, they are disappearing fast.

Tortoise conservation Efforts

World Tortoise Day was recently observed to emphasise the need to protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats
- Theme : ‘Shellebrate‘
  - The theme asks everyone to Love and Save Turtles.

Temple in Kasaragod has been protecting and conserving various tortoise species for several centuries
Smuggling of turtles, one of the Class 1 species of the water animal, is a non-bailable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Sea Turtle Conservation Programme Awareness Programmes
Dedicated Action Plan: India has for the first time devised a dedicated action plan for the protection and conservation of marine turtles

Turtles Types

There are seven species of sea turtle: Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle and Flatback Sea Turtle.
There are five species in Indian waters (Leatherback, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Green and Olive Ridley).
The Hawksbill turtle is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ and Green Turtle is listed as ‘Endangereed’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Source:TH

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