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Indian biologist wins Behler Turtle Conservation Award

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    6th Sep, 2021

Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction.

Context

Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction.

About the species

  • Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga)
    • It is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to South Asia.
    • It was the type species of its former genus Kachuga 
    • Conservation status: Critically Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix II
  • Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska)
    • It is a species of riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia
    • Conservation status: Critically Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
  • Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)
    • It is a species of freshwater turtle found in India and Bangladesh.
    • Conservation status: Critically Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I

There are 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in the country.

Key-highlights of the work done by Singh

  • He led the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)/ Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India turtle programme. 
  • In the 13 years since, he has expa

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