Started in 2000,World Turtle Day is is celebrated on 23rd May each year throughout the world with a aim to bring attention to and increase knowledge of and respect for turtles and tortoises.
An enlightening message collected from facebook page discussed during the world tortoise Day on 23rd may 2016 is here:
“Brenda Belgrove:We are very supportive of tortoises here in Sedgefield because we have so many. Our little town is also called “Slow Town” in honour of them and we have road signs asking people to give way to tortoises crossing the roads.”
but in contrary to this statement when it comes to West Bengal in India it is the main hub of smuggling of turtles. It is being believed that its soup effectively works to extend human life span – is the reason that its demand is very high in foreign countries. Recently, the recovery of 11 thousand turtles and 24 smugglers being sent to Bangladesh has revealed the fact.
From Bangladesh it has been exported to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China. Wildlife conservation officer Dharmadev Rai says that the turtle is being smuggled from India on a large scale to increase physical strength and longevity. It is said that the life span of tortoise is 180 years. Therefore, people believe that its soup is highly advantageous in increasing their age.
It was told that the turtle one exported from India, boiled in hot water for long hours. Then its chips are prepared. From a kilogram of tortoises, 250 kg of chips are prepared. Tortoise soup costs one to two lakh rupees in foreign countries.
Here in West Bengal the turtle flesh is treated as a delicacy by both Hindus and Muslims, mostly in the villages that fall along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Bangladesh immigrants, fisher folk and the poor class people consume it mostly.
According to a past statement of Dr. Shailendra Singh, Programe Director of Turtle Survival Alliance, “Turtles are transported to Bangladesh through the Petrapole-Benapole border checkpoint by train or by individuals. Here the turtle’s soft flesh is consumed and its dried shells are used for medicinal purpose. The smaller Indian Star Tortoise is exported to Hong Kong and Thailand to be sold as pets.”
There are more than 11 types of tortoises found in the rivers of Bengal and Uttar Pradesh in India. To save this endangered and protected species, its prey was banned in 1979. An attempt made to save the extinct tortoises through the International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources.
ADG Anand Kumar of North Bengal said in a statement that North Bengal is surrounded by the international border. Here, necessary instructions have been given to all GRP and police stations to prevent the smuggling of wildlife and water bodies. Continuous action is also being taken on this basis. The network of such smugglers is connected to the country from abroad.
Despite laws protecting sea turtles in most countries, the poaching of eggs, meat, and shells of turtles continues to be a major threat to their survival. In many countries, the trade of turtle eggs is a big industry to earn bread and butter for their families.
So deciding between feeding one’s family and protecting a wild animal is a difficult decision. Hence to help the residents who live near turtle habitat earn income from turtle tourism or involve them in conservation efforts, is yet to be decided by the government.
‘Too Rare To Wear’ is a coalition of conservation organizations, tour operators, and many others with their goal to end the sale of turtleshell products to travellers appeals in their website as follows:
PLEDGE TO AVOID TURTLESHELL
SIGN THE PLEDGE AND YOU’LL BE ENTERED TO WIN A TURTLE GIFT PACK! (US ADDRESSES ONLY)
When traveling in Latin America and the Caribbean, I pledge to shop carefully at souvenir shops and look for and avoid any products made of turtleshell, including bracelets, earrings, rings, guitar picks, combs, and fans.
When I find turtleshell for sale, I will let the vendors know that I only purchase from stores that are turtle-friendly.
Instead, I will look for and purchase locally-made and eco-friendly products.
And I will encourage my friends and family to avoid turtleshell products and share this campaign with them and report turtleshell products when I find them online or while traveling.
