Why in News?

=> According to the information received from the study of scientists of the Zoological Survey of India, due to illegal sand mining and smuggling in the Narmada river, the Indian Tent Turtles found in it are on the verge of extinction.

Key Points:

=> Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India have said that these turtles have completely disappeared from the area around Harda and Khandwa along with the confluence of Narmada-Tawa river 'Bandrabhan'.

=> These turtles, known as natural cleaners, survive by eating moss and algae etc. and increase the amount of oxygen in the water.

=> Zoological Survey of India scientist Pratyush Mohapatra, who is researching turtles, said that five years ago, turtles were found on the banks of Narmada near Narmadapuram, Harda and Khandwa from Jabalpur, which were not visible in January this year.

=> The female tortoise goes to her residence by laying eggs in the sand, which are incubated in summer. Illegal mining of sand is disrupting their breeding.

=> Pangshura tentoria or Indian tent turtles are found in Narmada. It is a species of tortoise found in India and Bangladesh.

=> In view of the danger looming over them, they have been kept in Schedule-I.