KANPUR: Once the monsoon season comes to an end, the turtles start moving to ponds and other smaller water bodies from paddy fields. The people from Kanjar tribe trap these turtles in fishing net and bury them underneath the ground, he added.
They dump the aquatic animals in their colonies located in Bhogaon and Kurawli in Mainpuri district, Kokhpura, Jaswantnagar and Bharthana in Etawah district. From here they are sent to Kolkata via roads and trains, where turtles are in demand.
The group becomes active in the region during winters.
Chauhan, who is working on turtle conservation, said he had come across Kanjar groups in the region. "They kill turtles by harpoons," he added
Senior forest officer BK Singh said: "Intensive patrolling would be carried out to check the activities of Kanjar tribe."
The 425-km stretch in Chambal has now been given a permanent status of turtle and ghariyal sanctuary as per the provisions of the Wildfife Protection Act-1972.
Capturing, killing or selling Indian flap shelled pond turtle is punishable under the Act.
The shell of this species is believed to be of medicinal value in both China and India. It is burnt and grinded with oil to produce a medicine in China that is used to treat certain types of skin diseases. In India, the shell is used to make a medicine said to cure tuberculosis.
The shell of this species is believed to be of medicinal value in both China and India. It is burnt and grinded with oil to produce a medicine in China that is used to treat certain types of skin diseases. In India, the shell is used to make a medicine said to cure tuberculosis.
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