Rituals and festivals of indigenous people of Chota Nagpur plateau of West Bengal: A positive correlation with the environment

Sarkar, Mainak; Modak, Biplob Kumar

doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-91603-5.00020-8

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…Likewise, in the present study it was seen that turtle harvesting precedes Bartch festival from April to June. In Jangal Mahal area another festival, 'Bandh Bibaha' is held in which turtles, tortoise and frogs are released in ponds and dams (Sarkar & Modak 2022) for mating, which is also a positive intention of villagers towards animal conservation. Kanagavel & Raghavan (2013) in Western Ghats, India reported that larger chelonian species were consumed immediately after harvesting and smaller ones were reared until those reached the desirable size for consumption.…”

Section: J Ttmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional harvesting practices employed for freshwater turtles by the indigenous communities along Shilabati River, West Bengal, India

Prasun Mandal,

Jana,

Mallick

et al. 2024

J. Threat. Taxa

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A survey was conducted through semi-structured interviews, involving 38 local fishermen of three villages in the Gangani region along Shilabati River in West Bengal, India. The survey revealed that three threatened species of turtles—Nilssonia gangetica, Nilssonia hurum, and Lissemys punctata—were clandestinely harvested by the riverine communities. These species are also being documented for the first time from this area, popularly called Jangal Mahal. N. gangetica was the most commonly harvested species, followed by L. punctata and N. hurum, mostly for consumption, local sale, and as traditional medicine. The most frequently used method for capturing turtles was the ‘multiple hook bait’; exclusively practiced by adult males of the fisher community, usually belonging to the age group 21–40 years, between February and June. The study indicated that the respondents knew that harvesting of turtles was clandestine, yet they continued to do so as their traditional right, as they believed minor catches will not harm local turtle populations. It is assumed that N. hurum, which is an endangered species, is already rare and on the brink of local extinction, whereas other two species are coping with the harvest in the specialized riparian habitat and adjacent ponds. In this study the harvesting of threatened turtle species was ardently associated with the socio-cultural customs rather than an economic compulsion but to check rising threat to these species, the uncontrolled harvest needs to be addressed urgently as a high priority conservation issue. This requires further explorations on the ecology of turtles, initiatives by enforcement agencies, and utilizing the inherent knowledge of indigenous people.

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Section: J Ttmentioning

confidence: 99%