Daily Current Affairs : 3-October-2023
In recent news, a groundbreaking study titled ‘From pets to plates’ has shed light on a disturbing truth: Chennai stands as the epicenter of a global network trafficking tortoises and hard-shell turtles. This study, the first of its kind, meticulously compared the supply chains of these creatures based on 78 tortoise seizures and 64 soft-shell turtle seizures reported in the media between 2013 and 2019.
Exploring the Findings
- Tortoise vs. Soft-Shell Turtle Trade
- Tortoise and hard-shell turtles from India are traded globally, primarily as pets, forming a vast and intricate network.
- In contrast, soft-shell turtles are predominantly traded within India for meat consumption.
- The pet turtle trade exhibits a higher level of organization compared to the soft-shell turtle trade.
- Global Trafficking Hubs
- Apart from Chennai, other Indian cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, Agra, and West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas and Howrah districts emerge as significant trafficking hubs.
- The ‘Asian Turtle Crisis’
- The term ‘Asian turtle crisis’ encapsulates the dire situation faced by tortoises and freshwater turtles due to habitat destruction and rampant illegal harvesting.
- Trafficking Methods
- Illegally traded tortoises and hard-shell turtles are often transported by air, indicating corruption at entry and exit points.
- Insufficient training and awareness among enforcement authorities and a lack of functional scanning equipment contribute to the ease of trafficking.
Understanding Soft-Shell Turtles
- Habitat and Adaptability
- Soft-shell turtles, some of the world’s largest freshwater turtles, adapt to various environments, including highly brackish areas.
- They are found in Africa, Asia, and North America, with extinct species documented in Australia.
- Physical Characteristics
- Soft-shell turtles lack the typical hard carapace, having a shell more akin to leather than bone.
- Unlike other turtles, they lack large scales known as scutes on their shell.
- Indian Softshell Turtle
- Found in the Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi rivers in northern and eastern India, this species is particularly vulnerable due to its restricted habitat.
Insights into Tortoise and Hard-Shell Turtles
- Distinctive Features
- Tortoises possess a hard shell and have the ability to retract their necks and heads directly into the shell.
- They are primarily herbivores, although instances of hunting birds have been observed.
- Global Distribution
- Tortoises are found across a wide range, spanning from North to South America, the Mediterranean basin, Eurasia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and certain Pacific islands.
Important Points:
- Chennai identified as a major hub in the global tortoise and hard-shell turtle trafficking network.
- First-of-its-kind study comparing supply chains of tortoises and hard-shell turtles (78 seizures) and soft-shell turtles (64 seizures) from 2013 to 2019.
- Tortoises and hard-shell turtles traded globally, primarily as pets, while soft-shell turtles mainly traded within India for meat consumption.
- Pet turtle trade characterized by higher organization compared to soft-shell turtle trade.
- Other trafficking hubs: Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Anantapur, Agra, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah districts in West Bengal.
- ‘Asian turtle crisis’ reflects the dire situation faced by tortoises and freshwater turtles due to habitat destruction and illegal harvesting.
- Tortoise and hard-shell turtle network larger in scale and has more international trafficking links than soft-shell turtle network.
- Illegally traded tortoises and hard-shell turtles transported by air, indicating corruption at entry and exit points.
- Insufficient training and awareness among enforcement authorities and lack of functional scanning equipment facilitate trafficking.
- Soft-shell turtles adapt to various environments, lack hard carapace, and have vulnerable species like the Indian Softshell Turtle found in limited regions.
- Tortoises possess hard shells, retractable necks, primarily herbivores but occasional observations of hunting birds.
- Urgent need for international efforts to curb illegal trade, including strengthening enforcement, raising awareness, and investing in advanced scanning technologies.
Why In News
According to a recent study titled ‘From pets to plates,’ Chennai has been identified as the highest-ranked node in the tortoise and hard-shell turtle trafficking network, perpetuating the global pet trade crisis. This alarming discovery underscores the urgent need for international collaboration and stringent conservation efforts to curb the illegal trade and protect these vulnerable species from further exploitation.
MCQs about The Heart of a Disturbing Turtle Trafficking Network
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What is the primary reason for the global trade of tortoises and hard-shell turtles?
A. Medicinal Purposes
B. Pet Industry
C. Scientific Research
D. Aquarium Trade
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Which city, apart from Chennai, is identified as a significant hub in the turtle trafficking network?
A. Mumbai
B. Kolkata
C. Delhi
D. Hyderabad
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What is the characteristic feature of soft-shell turtles that distinguishes them from other turtle species?
A. Hard Carapace
B. Large Scales
C. Leather-like Shell
D. Retractable Neck
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What is the term used to describe the current state of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Asia due to habitat destruction and illegal harvesting?
A. Turtle Crisis
B. Tortoise Extinction
C. Asian Turtle Crisis
D. Habitat Devastation
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