Chennai top node in tortoise trafficking network (The Hindu , Page No 10)

Relevance: GS-III Biodiversity 

Prelims Take away: Fresh Water turtle

Mains Take away: Illegal trade of species. 

Why In News: 

Chennai is identified as the highest-ranked node in the trafficking network of tortoises and hard-shell turtles. This suggests that Chennai plays a significant role in the illegal trade of these animals. Other Indian cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, Agra, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah in West Bengal also rank high in this network.

Asian Turtle Crisis 

1. The study was conducted by researchers associated with the Counter Wildlife Trafficking Programme of the Wildlife Conservation Society-India. 
2. The study refers to the current situation as the "Asian turtle crisis," highlighting the significant threats faced by tortoises and freshwater turtles due to habitat destruction and illegal trade. Many of these species are illegally traded, with tens of thousands of turtles seized by law enforcement agencies in India annually. 
3. The study found that the trafficking of softshell turtles for meat is primarily domestic, with international trafficking mainly involving Bangladesh. Trafficking links are identified from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh to unspecified districts in West Bengal and from North 24 Parganas to unspecified districts in Bangladesh. 
4. Chennai and Mumbai are identified as central nodes in the trafficking network, with high numbers of incoming trafficking links. This suggests that these cities may serve as transit or collection points for further export of these animals abroad.

Freshwater turtles

1. Freshwater turtles are reptiles that are ectothermic, or “cold-blooded” (their internal temperature matches that of their surroundings). 
2. They also have a scaly skin enabling them to live outside of water. 
3. Turtles are oviparous (lay eggs). 
4. Turtles have a shell, composed of a carapace in the back and a plastron on the belly, is made of bony plates.
5. Turtles have an impressively long life for such small animals. 
6. Freshwater turtles are smaller than their marine counterparts and their looks are more varied. 
7. India has 29 species of freshwater turtles (24) and tortoises (5).