New Delhi: Leith’s Soft-shelled Turtle protection in India has been bolstered by the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) agreement. At its 19th Meeting in Panama, the Conference of Parties to CITES approved India’s proposal to move the Leith’s Softshell Turtle from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. By doing this, it will be made sure that the species is not traded legally internationally for profit.
Additionally, it will guarantee that only licenced facilities can trade in captive-bred specimens internationally, and that those who do so face harsher penalties. When the Committee I of CoP took up the proposal for discussion on November 23, Chandra Prakash Goyal, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary in the Environment Ministry, presented it.
Softshell Leith’s Large freshwater turtles with soft shells that are native to peninsular India live in rivers and reservoirs. Over the past 30 years, the turtle species has been heavily exploited. It has been stolen and consumed forcibly in India. Additionally, it has been traded illegally for meat abroad. This turtle species’ population is thought to have decreased by 90% over the previous 30 years.