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

Abstract

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.