Consider the following statements with reference to Leith rsquo s Softshell Turtle 1 It is endemic t...........

Geography (CDS) Biodiversity

Consider the following statements with reference to Leith’s Softshell Turtle:

1. It is endemic to peninsular India.

2. It is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

3. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

India’s proposal for transferring Leith’s Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithi) from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) has been adopted by the Conference of Parties (CoP) to CITES in its 19th Meeting at Panama.
Leith’s Softshell Turtle is a large fresh water soft-shelled turtle which is endemic to peninsular India and it inhabits rivers and reservoirs.
The species has been subject to intensive exploitation over the past 30 years.
It has been poached and illegally consumed within India.
It has also been illegally traded abroad for meat and for its calipee.
The population of this turtle species is estimated to have declined by 90% over the past 30 years such that the species is now difficult to find.
It is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN.
Hence statements 1 and 3 are correct.
The species is listed on Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives it protection from hunting as well as trade.
However, poaching and illegal trade of protected turtle species is a major challenge in India with seizures of thousands of specimens reported every year.
Species level identification of seized specimens is also a challenge.
Tortoises and freshwater turtles are targeted for the international pet, meat and calipee trade, as well as for illegal domestic consumption in some areas.
Hence statement 2 is correct.