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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Indian Star Tortoises rescued from Malaysia

Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Indian Star Tortoise; TRAFFIC

Why in the News?

Malaysia has seized about 200 smuggled Indian Star Tortoises and Turtles in a major crackdown. The Indian star tortoise is the single most confiscated species of freshwater tortoise in the world, according to wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC.

About Indian Star Tortoises (Geochelone elegans)

Details
Habitat
  • Found in Central and Southern India, West Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
  • Typically resides in dry, open habitats such as scrub forests, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings
Threats
  • Habitat fragmentation due to urbanization and agricultural practices
  • Loss of genetic diversity due to hybridization
  • 90% of trade occurs in the international pet market, according to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
Protection Status
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wild Life Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I

 

Back2Basics: TRAFFIC (Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce)

Details
Founded 1976
Headquarters Cambridge, United Kingdom
Mission Ensure that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten the conservation of nature.
Founding Partners World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Focus Areas
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • Sustainable Development
Governance
  • TRAFFIC Committee (WWF and IUCN members)
  • Cooperation with the CITES Secretariat
Staff Expertise Biologists, conservationists, academics, researchers, communicators, investigators
Global Network Research-driven, action-oriented global network
Key Functions
  • Evolution of wildlife trade treaties
  • Expertise on urgent species trade issues (tiger parts, elephant ivory, rhino horn)
  • Addressing large-scale commercial trade in timber and fisheries products
TRAFFIC in India
  • Programme Division of WWF-India since 1991
  • Based in New Delhi
  • Collaborates with national and state governments to curb illegal wildlife trade

 

PYQ:

[2013] Consider the following:

  1. Star tortoise
  2. Monitor lizard
  3. Pygmy hog
  4. Spider monkey

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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