Concrete steps to save rare turtles

KOLKATA: The existence of certain rare species of pond turtles in rural West Bengal is at stake. Courtesy the recent drive by village panchayats for concrete binding of the pond banks in many villages.

The two species are ‘Chittagong Soft Turtles’ and ‘Mud Turtles’ which are found in the ponds of Coochbehar, although the former are mostly found in Chittagong district of Bangladesh.

According to state forest department sources, a team of wildlife specialists were immediately pressed into a probe after the first instance of the death of the turtles came to light. The experts found that the main reason behind the deaths was the concrete binding of the banks. The expert team felt the turtles often collided against the concrete slabs at the sides of the ponds while on their way to the mud-laden banks to lay their eggs. This causes grievous injuries and leads to their subsequent death. 

In their report, the expert team also said many such villages have witnessed the death of the turtles due to the same reasons. Fortunately, the West Bengal forest minister, Ananta Roy, has taken a personal initiative to rescue the rare species. “We have received the teams report and I will hold talks with other departments so that the concrete bindings can be removed,” Roy said. 

He also said his department, apart from removing the concrete banks, will also arrange for the water bodies to get back their natural look by planting grass and replenishing the area with mud in order to ensure free movement of the endangered creatures.