Other States - Rajasthan   

Soft-shelled turtles under threat

Sunny Sebastian

Photo: Dharmendra Khandal

IN THE NET: Vishnudas, a poacher who was caught with the harvest:

JAIPUR: A growing demand for dry meat of turtles is posing a serious threat to the population of Indian soft-shelled turtles inhabiting rivers and water bodies bordering Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The dry meat of the turtle, referred to as "kompal", reportedly goes to Kolkata and from there it is clandestinely exported to China. In the towns of Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Baran, its dehydrated meat fetches anywhere between Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,100 per kg.

The harvesting of Indian soft-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata), Schedule 1 species, is reportedly rampant in the Chambal, Parvati, Kali Sindh and Banas rivers. Apart from the traditional poaching community Mogyas and the fishermen Kirs, people of Bengali origin also reportedly form part of the turtle harvesters, as Bengalis seem to have a special liking for "kompal" and are said to be willing to pay a high price for the delicacy.

"Thousands of soft-shelled turtles are harvested every year in the Rajasthan districts of Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Baran. The meat is dried and sent to Kota or Kolkata," says Dharmendra Khandal, a researcher with Tiger Watch, stationed at Ranthambhore Project Tiger Park. Mr. Khandal provided The Hindu with pictures of Indian soft-shelled turtle and of poacher Vishnudas, who was caught poaching at Chanakya Dha falling under the Niwari protected forest area near Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, some time back.

The Chambal river system has seven species of turtles. Unlike elsewhere where poaching of Indian star turtles (Geochelone elegans) is commonly reported of late, at least in this part of Rajasthan they are safe after being treated as "Dev kachwa" (divine turtle).

"We come across persons selling live soft-shelled turtles. The meat is said to be used for making soup and also is available in dried form," said Anil Nair, researching on Sarus cranes in the Chambal area of Kota. "Apart from the meat the shells are also available with the street vendors here for Rs.50-100 apiece. They are used by the locals as show pieces," he informed.

The soft-shelled turtle, on an average, weighs up to Rs.12 kg and is surely a vulnerable creature. The poachers generally take out its cartilage for turning it to dry meat. The Rajasthan Forest authorities have no guesstimate of its population.

"There has been no census of the turtles though we are of the view that their population in the Chambal is substantial," says R.S.Shekhawat, Deputy Filed Director of the Ranthambhore National Park. He also refuted reports of increased poaching in the region even while saying that there was no system to stop harvesting of turtles from the rivers.

"The Chambal river or for that matter any other river— barring the portions where the Gharial sanctuary is located— in the region does not come under our jurisdiction and it is difficult to monitor wildlife in them," he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Two gas finds in Rajasthan
Computerised water distribution system for Rajasthan farmers
Soft-shelled turtles under threat

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu