Indian Tent Turtle

In News

• Recently, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change provided information regarding the Indian Tent Turtle.

Indian Tent Turtle

• Scientific Name:Pangshura tentoria
• It is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae.
• The species is native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with three subspecies recorded from the region viz.
  • P. t. Tentoria: It occurs in peninsular India and is recorded from Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
  •  P. t. circumdata: It occurs in the western tributaries of Ganga and the rivers of Gujarat. 
    • It is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. 

• P. t. flaviventer: It occurs in the northern tributaries of Ganga and is recorded from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.

• Characteristics :
  • The size of the carapace ranges from 20 cm to 26.5 cm depending upon the subspecies. 
  • The colour of the turtles also varies according to each subspecies.

• Habitat:

• Its habitats include still water pools on the riverside and slow running water near the river banks. These are active swimmers and are mainly herbivorous.
• Its preferred habitats are freshwater rivers and swamps

• Major Threats:
  • Due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market.
• Conservation Efforts :
  • The Indian tent turtle is listed in Schedule –I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and is thereby provided with the highest degree of protection. 
  • The Government has taken several steps to protect wildlife and its habitats including for Indian tent turtle species. Important steps taken in this regard include:
    • Protected Areas, viz national Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been created in the country covering important habitats to provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern

Source:PIB