Red Crowned Roofed Turtle is one of the 24 species endemic to India, is characterised by the bright colours such as red, yellow, white and blue on the faces and necks of the males.
Common Names: Bengal roof turtle, Red-crowned roofed turtle.
Distribution:
It is a freshwater turtle species found in deep flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites.
The Red-crowned roofed turtle is native to India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India and Bangladesh. It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin.
Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only area with substantial population of the species, but even this Protected Area and habitat are under threat.
Major Threats:
Loss or degradation of habitat due to pollution and large scale development activities like water extraction for human consumption and irrigation and irregular flow from the upstream dams and reservoirs.
Sand mining and growing of seasonal crops along Ganga River are majorly affecting the sandbars along the river that are used by the species for nesting.
Drowning by illegal fishing nets.
Poaching and illegal trade.
Conservation Status:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) : Critically Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act (IWPA) : Schedule I
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) : Appendix II
