In a breakthrough in checking smuggling of turtles from Uttar Pradesh, a team of forest and police officials recovered 605 softshell turtles from Mainpuri district.
On the basis of information, a police team conducted a raid in Kanjar colony in Karhal Tehsil of Mainpuri and rescued 605 Indian Softshell Turtles yesterday, Divisional Forest officer, Mainpuri Manish Singh, who coordinated the entire operation, told reporters.
At around 7.30 PM yesterday, police raided the house of one Rajveer and made the recovery.
An FIR has been lodged against seven accused who managed to escape.
The turtles were later handed over to Forest Department.
In November, 20 turtles were rescued while in December 124 turtles were rescued. Last month 50 turtles were rescued.
On February 3, a truck containing more than 3000 turtles was seized in Dumka Forest Division in Jharkhand. The truck was carrying turtles from Mainpuri.
"This shows turtles are being smuggled on a large scale from Mainpuri. This matter need urgent attention from the top level and concentrated efforts are required to check the smuggling of turtles," Singh said.
There is huge demand of turtles in South East Asian countries.
