Endangered turtles sold in Agartala market

Agartala: If you thought turtles, elephants, mynahs or parakeets, were endangered and protected under Wildlife Protection Act, then think again.

In the popular fish market of Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, where the authentic Bangladesh hilsa arrives, a regular supply of endangered turtles are also smuggled in.

The illegal sale of turtles is rather common but what is more shocking is the revised taxation on market commodities issued by the Agartala Municipal Council which legitimises the sale of protected animals.

According to an official circular, turtles and birds like parrot and maina have been taxed at Rs 1.50 per shop. What is even more bizzare is that elephants are listed at Rs 9 and Rs 5.50 depending on their size.

"Turtles are protected by Wildlife Protection Act in India, and it is a Schedule One animal," said Prof J P Roychoudhury, a wildlife activist.

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Occasionally they are intercepted and seized but generally they make it to the market and are sold openly which is against the law.

Ironically when NDTV approached the Tripura Forest Department they expressed surprise even on the sale of turtles.

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"We are taking up the matter with the municipal corporation of Agartala as well as other parts of the state," said R P Tangwan, principal chief conservator of forests in Tripura.

Poaching of animals and smuggling of wildlife is a problem that has been there but for a government agency to legitimise the sale of endangered species is unheard of. With no visible record of real action against wildlife crime its unlikely that any one will be held accountable in this case as well.