TASTY TURTLES

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Link: http://www.uniindia.com

 

TASTY TURTLES

By R Satyanarayana On

 

After many adventurous food, meat of turtle and tortoise, which are

endangered species included in the Schedule I

of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, have become one of the

favourite delicacies among the NE people here.

 

But for the truly discerning gourmet, connoisseurs will point out

that nothing can surpass the flavour of turtles and tortoises, in

many markets across NE region, considered a prized -- and rare --

delicacy despite government diktat against the eating of these

particular creatures.

 

''Our country represents one of Asia's most diverse turtles fauna.

About 26 species of turtles and tortoises are found in India,of

which 19 alone are in NE region. These now face a uncertain future

due to indiscriminate hunting and killing for meat'', turtles

researcher and investigator Kulendra Chandra Dass from department of

Ecology and Environmental science, Assam, University told UNI here.

 

Despite imposing Indian Wildlife Protection Act, due to weak law

enforcement, there is high demand of turtle meat in many markets

across all the NE states, he added.

 

Mr Dass, who has researched and surveyed this endangered species

especially in the NE region, for the past four years, highlighted

that for past three years more than one thousand turtles of about

five rare varieties have been killed and sold in Silchar (Asom)

market alone.

 

''Per kilo of turtle meat costs between Rs 350 and Rs 450'', he said.

 

Mr Dass said besides being sold as meat, many people have started

hunting, trapping and collecting both turtles and tortoises for

consumption. '' This is hightime that people should come forward to

save this creature from getting extinct,'' he added.

 

Professor Abhik Gupta, who heads the turtle research team,said the

turtles and the tortoises are also considered wild animals, which

are morphologically unique and play an important role in aquatic and

terrestrial ecosystems.

 

He said many people are not aware that fresh water turtles are known

to be water purifiers and also used as biological control agents for

live-stock. Some species feed on poor quality forage that are

unsuitable for live-stock, converting useless weeds into protein-

rich food.

 

Several turtles feed on water-dwelling organisms, including snails

and insects, that may spread different kinds of diseases and by

removing these from the ecosystem, turtles help in maintaining a

health community of organisms, he explained.

 

''We have also conducted more than 30 'conservation of

turtle'awareness compaign across the region among various school

children and people'', he said.

 

Steev Mc Curry, an internatioinal photo journalist, who is currently

touring NE, said ''not only turtles but other wildlife animals are

also under severe threat in this region due to indiscriminate

hunting and killing.''

 

But 37-year-old Robert, who is a regular hunter of turtles, considers

that consuming turtle flesh and eggs is healthy.