Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles

Source: PIB

Context: After 30 years, 20 critically endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles (Batagur kachuga) were successfully reintroduced into the Ganga River under the Namami Gange Mission, marking a key biodiversity milestone.

About Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles (*Batagur kachuga*):

• Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga

• Native Range:

• Countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra (historical); Chambal (current viable habitat)

• Countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh

• Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra (historical); Chambal (current viable habitat)

• Protection Status:

• IUCN (Global): Critically Endangered Indian Wildlife Act: Schedule I (Highest Protection) CITES (International Trade): Appendix I (Banned)

• IUCN (Global): Critically Endangered

• Indian Wildlife Act: Schedule I (Highest Protection)

• CITES (International Trade): Appendix I (Banned)

• Key Features:

• Size: Females grow up to 56 cm (about 2 feet) long and weigh 25 kg (55 lbs), while males are half as small, making them much lighter. Shell: Their hard, ridged shell helps them swim in strong currents, and young turtles have angled undersides (plastron) for protection. Snout: They have a short, slightly pointed snout, which helps them breathe while staying mostly underwater. Colours: During breeding season, males develop bright red, yellow, and blue streaks on their necks to attract females.

• Size: Females grow up to 56 cm (about 2 feet) long and weigh 25 kg (55 lbs), while males are half as small, making them much lighter.

• Shell: Their hard, ridged shell helps them swim in strong currents, and young turtles have angled undersides (plastron) for protection.

• Snout: They have a short, slightly pointed snout, which helps them breathe while staying mostly underwater.

• Colours: During breeding season, males develop bright red, yellow, and blue streaks on their necks to attract females.

• Behaviour & Habitat:

• Home: They live in deep, fast-flowing rivers and need sandy beaches or sandbars to lay their eggs. Food: They are strict herbivores, feeding only on aquatic plants and algae. Breeding Season: They mate and nest between March and April, when temperatures are warm. Eggs: Females dig nests in sand and lay 11 to 30 eggs per clutch, which hatch after about 60–70 days.

• Home: They live in deep, fast-flowing rivers and need sandy beaches or sandbars to lay their eggs.

• Food: They are strict herbivores, feeding only on aquatic plants and algae.

• Breeding Season: They mate and nest between March and April, when temperatures are warm.

• Eggs: Females dig nests in sand and lay 11 to 30 eggs per clutch, which hatch after about 60–70 days.

• Threats:

• Habitat Damage: Pollution, dam construction, and excessive water use destroy their river habitats. Nesting Problems: Sand mining and farming on riverbanks ruin nesting sites, leaving no safe place for eggs. Hunting & Trade: They are poached for their meat (considered a delicacy) and shells (used in ornaments), despite being protected by law.

• Habitat Damage: Pollution, dam construction, and excessive water use destroy their river habitats.

• Nesting Problems: Sand mining and farming on riverbanks ruin nesting sites, leaving no safe place for eggs.

• Hunting & Trade: They are poached for their meat (considered a delicacy) and shells (used in ornaments), despite being protected by law.