Conservation of fresh water turtles of India

Abstract

The focus in the recent past has been on sea turtles. The hardshell and softshell freshwater turtles from Indian Coast are a much neglected group. Except for taxonomic studies and a few stray observations on their life history practically nothing is known of our freshwater turtles. While we eagerly look forward to their report, we take an opportunity to record some observation made in West Bengal on freshwater turtle trade.The sign boards displayed by the West Bengal Forest Department prohibiting sale of turtles and turtle products mentions the protection of marine species only. There is an urgent need for a critical appraisal of the population structure and hibitat of the species of freshwater turtles to see whether any species needing protection have been left out.