It is a freshwater turtle belonging to the family Geoemydidae and also known as the Bengal Roof Turtle.

Fact To Know

  • Habitat: It was historically found in the river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, particularly in large, deep rivers like the Ganga, Chambal, and Brahmaputra.
  • Major Threats: Pollution, dam construction, water extraction, sand mining, seasonal agriculture destroys its nesting sandbars, illegal fishing nets cause drowning and poaching, and the illegal pet trade.
  • Protection Status
    • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
    • Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule I
    • CITES: Appendix II

 

Source: Down To Earth

 

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