KOZHIKODE: The death of a rare Cantor’s giant softshell turtle, which is believed to have hit the gates of the Bavikkara Regulator in the Payaswini Chandragiri River in Kasaragod, has raised concerns about the year-old project that threatens one of the largest and one of the most endangered in the world. freshwater turtles in its few remaining habitats. The carcass of the large adult turtle measuring 105cm was found next to the regulator on Tuesday.
Conservation biologist Ayushi Jain, who has led community-based conservation initiatives for the species in the area for the past three years, said the turtle could have hit the regulator doors and rolled over. “The unscientific construction of dams and regulators poses a threat to freshwater turtles as they could fragment their habitat and impede their natural movement. As the carcass was found near the regulator with a head injury, we believe that she hit the regulator doors,” she said.
Ayushi, from UP, and his team had for the first time in the country discovered an active nesting area and eggs of the rare turtle along the Chandragiri River last year. “It is of critical importance that action is taken to maintain the breeding population of the species in the river and all stakeholders – the water resources and forestry departments, and the local community – should sit down together and find ways to make sure the species is not impacted by the regulator,” she said.
Unlike most freshwater turtles, Cantor’s giant softshell turtle inhabits both coastal freshwater and brackish water. The regulator, which has intercalated, could hinder its movement in its natural habitats and affect its life cycle. Additionally, numerous check dams in the river fragment the breeding and nesting grounds of the species.
Cantor’s giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), known as Bheemanama and Paala Poovan in Malayalam, is an EDGE (evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered) species, which means that if this turtle goes extinct , there will be nothing like it on earth. The exceptionally large freshwater turtle is known to reach over a meter in length and weigh over 100 kg. The top-secret turtle spends 95% of its life hidden in sand or mud with only its eyes and nose visible, making it difficult to spot or study in the wild.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Kasaragod, P Dhanesh Kumar said the department will seek a directive from the district collector for the scientific management of the regulator shutters by the water resources department. “In addition, residents have complained of construction waste, including pieces of iron, lying in the river and we will also seek to remove this,” he said.
Over the past 45 years, records of rare turtle species in India have been sparse. According to published scientific reports, there are only 10 individuals registered in the country before the start of the conservation project. Dhanesh Kumar said permission was sought from the state’s chief wildlife warden to keep the turtle carcass at the Zoological Survey of India regional center in Kozhikode.
The Bavikkara Regulator Project, which was commissioned last year after a 28-year wait, is the largest drinking water project in the district.