Kolkata, Jan 30 IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have seized 185 rare Asian black spotted turtles, worth Rs.1.11 crore in the international market, in Kalanchi in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district while they were being smuggled to Bangladesh.
Following a specific intelligence input, BSF personnel from Kalanchi border outpost laid an ambush Thursday and challenged two persons moving suspiciously towards Bangladesh with two big cloth bags.
The duo dropped the bags and fled towards Bangladesh taking advantage of the fog and the dark, a BSF release said.
The BSF personnel searched the area and found the turtles inside the bags. This is the largest seizure of rare Asian black spotted turtles in recent times.
"The BSF authorities immediately informed forest department officials as well as Bangaon customs office. The seized turtles have been handed over to the forest department through the customs office at Bangaon", the release said.
The Indian black spotted turtle is a medium-sized freshwater turtle from South Asia. Despite its common name, the colour of this attractive turtle varies hugely with the rigid upper shell, or 'carapace', ranging from reddish to dark brown or black, often with three yellowish ridges running along its length.
These turtles are also known as Bengal black turtle, black pond turtle, Burmese black turtle, Cochin black turtle, Parker's black turtle, Sri Lanka black turtle.
The species is threatened as its meat is considered a delicacy in many areas, while it is also kept as a pet.
The species is highly endangered in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
It fetches more than USD 2,000 each in South-East Asian markets.
US: The post of US Ambassador to India is vacant for two years, know why Eric Garcetti's name is not getting stamped
US President Joe Biden has announced the name of the new US ambassador to India. According to this announcement, Eric Garcetti can be the new US Ambassador to India. However, the important voting of
This was Kangana Ranaut's reaction after watching 12th Fail, the actress said this for Vikrant Massey
These days, Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey is enjoying the success of his film '12th Fail'. The audience praised Vikrant's film and acting a lot. Not only this, many Bollywood celebs also praised him.
Commander-level meeting between Indo-Chinese troops, to be held in China border
New Delhi: Commander level discussion between India and Chinese troops will be held on June 6 tomorrow at around 8 am. However, it will also depend on the weather. If the weather is good, then only
Kejriwal, Naidu Discuss Delhi's Development
New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Delhi Chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday met Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and sought cooperation for the national capital's
Trump's Warning - The Coming Two Weeks For America Will Be Very Painful, But Expressed Hope
Washington,. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Americans that the coming two weeks could prove to be very, very painful for the US, as the spread of the corona virus is accelerating there.
Work From Home: WHO Reveals, Working Over 55 Hours In Week Can Lose Life, Increasing Stress
Due to the outbreak of the second wave of the Coronavirus, a lockdown is in place in all parts of the country. In such a situation, lakhs of employees working in all the companies are working from
Bihar: Fourlane bridge under construction on river Ganges collapses again, 2 guards missing; was being built for 1700 crores
The under-construction four-lane bridge over the Sultanganj-Aguwani Ganga river in Bhagalpur, Bihar, once again got grounded. The superstructure of the bridge under construction fell into the river.
IAS officer's death: Karnataka assembly adjourned till Monday
Bengaluru, March 19 (IANS) The Karnataka legislative assembly was on Thursday adjourned till Monday amid uproar by the opposition lawmakers over the state government not allowing a CBI probe into
LPG Price Hike: The general public may get a big setback! Next week, gas cylinders may become expensive again, know how much the price will increase
Gas Cylinder Price Hike: The general public may soon get a shock of inflation. According to information received from sources, the price of the LPG cylinder (LPG Price Hike) may increase next week.
2G money laundering: Ammal, five others' statement recorded
New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) A court here on Wednesday recorded the statement of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and five others in connection with money laundering related to 2G