Tiger Strike Force, DRI rescue 282 Tent Turtles

 

 

Two people were arrested from Itarsi Railway Station on Monday while smuggling rare species of turtles. Both were carrying Indian Tent Turtle in Yashwantpur Express train from Lucknow to Chennai. The two have been identified as Narottam and Swapan. SDO D S Chauhan said that 282 Tent Turtles were recovered from four packets at Itarsi station and two of the turtles died. A total of 280 live turtle were released into Satpura Tiger Reserve. State Tiger Strike Force and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided the train in the morning. They arrested the two accused and also recovered turtles. MP Tiger Strike Force presented both accused before a special court in Narmadapuram from where they have been sent on seven-day remand. Both accused are residents of West Bengal.

 

On September 30, DRI arrested a few accused in Nagpur and Chennai as well. DRI conducted ‘Operation Kacchap’ in Itarsi, Nagpur and Chennai where 955 turtle from various species are recovered from agents. Total 6 people are arrested in this case. Case has been registered under Wildlife Protection Act and concerned forest team has been handed over the turtle for further proceedings. DRI team informed that turtle in Ganga River are being trading illegally and they got clue about their trade and after that drive was conducted to arrest them. These turtle belongs to Ganga river name as Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell, Red Crown Roofed Turtle, Black Pond Turtle and Brown turtle. Officials said it is illegal to catch, trade or sell the wildlife. One can get seven years imprisonment and minimum Rs 25,000 penalty for trading the turtle.