Star Tortoises

28 Oct 2024 11:26:33 am

Tags : Star Tortoises

Topic: Biodiversity

Why in the news?

The notorious \'Ninja Turtle Gang,\' based in Malaysia, is fueling a surge in illegal smuggling of live star tortoises from Chennai to Southeast Asian destinations.
According to an alert issued by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, there is a potential increase in trafficking due to rising demand in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Source: The Times of India

About Star Tortoises:

It is found in the central and Southern parts of India, in West Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Threat:
- The highly fragmented habitat of the species is greatly influenced by an increased level of urbanization and agricultural practices throughout its range.
Conservation status:
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Convention on International Trade in Species (CITES): Appendix I
- Wild Life Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV
Conservation Efforts:
- At the 18th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP18) held in 2019, Indian Star Tortoise was up-listed to Appendix I from Appendix II owing to its over-exploitation.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:

It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.
It was constituted by amending the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
It works under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Its headquarters are located in New Delhi.
Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to:
- Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals.
- Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.
- Assist foreign authorities and international organizations concerned to facilitate coordination and universal action for wildlife crime control.
- Capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes;
- Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.
- Assist and advise the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.