Wildlife Dept releases data to mark World Turtle Day

Eight species of freshwater and six of sea turtles found in Sindh

KARACHI:

Eight species of turtles are found in Sindh, while six species of sea turtles, including green and olive ridley turtles, also visit the coastal areas of the province, as per the Sindh Wildlife Department records which released its data on the occasion of World Turtle Day on May 23.

The data shows that there are eight species of freshwater turtles in Sindh, including four soft-shelled and four hard-shelled amphibians. Similarly, among the sea turtle species, green and olive ridley turtles are regular visitors, while Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles are also occasionally spotted.

Several hundred freshwater turtles were rescued in the Guaddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages during their annual shutdown for cleaning between December and January, as per the Wildlife Department.

Every year May 23 is celebrated as World Turtle Day to highlight the importance of these wonderful creatures. The presence of turtles is a sign of healthy wetlands, rivers and seawater.

Sindh Wildlife Department's Marine Turtle Conservation Centre for Sea Turtles at Hawke's Bay beach has helped millions of hatchlings begin their life journey safely since the 1970s. The data for the year 2023 shows that 14,970 baby turtles have been safely released into the sea so far this year.

Threats to all turtle species include habitat destruction, pollution, illegal fishing, and illegal trafficking, among other factors. Pakistan is one of the countries where the river and sea turtles are suffering due to habitat destruction.

Significantly, the provincial government has implemented the turtle conservation laws, including Sindh Turtle Conservation Rules 2022, according to which all the species of this wonderful creature have been declared protected. Poaching and trafficking of turtles is punishable by heavy fines and imprisonment under the law.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2023.