International Day of Action for Rivers
14th March 2024 is the International Day of Action for Rivers.
This river's day let us talk about the freshwater turtles.
Rivers support a variety of biodiversity including the freshwater turtles. Not as famous as their marine counterparts, twenty-nine species of freshwater turtles are found in India.
Freshwater turtles and rivers share a very special ecological relationship. As predators and scavengers, turtles are essential in maintaining the ecological balance and their presence is an indicator of healthy ecosystems. Despite their ecological roles, many freshwater turtle species are threatened with extinction. Nine of the species found in India have been assessed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The turtles of India face several threats. Loss and degradation of habitats, entanglement in fishing nets, and illegal wildlife trade are some of the significant threats. Turtles' habitats are being lost or degraded due to the development of infrastructures, alteration of river banks, sand mining and pollution. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade fueled by persistent demand for their meat and as pets impact several species.
The threats that impact the turtles also reflect on the health of the rivers that support them. Saving the turtles saves the river and vice versa. Healthy rivers support food security, rich biodiversity and economic development.
So this International Day of Action for Rivers, as we save the rivers, let's save the turtles that call them home.
Background
The tortoises and freshwater turtles
The puzzle cards made from the illustrations
