Thread by @Ecology4UPSC

Context: India’s proposal for transferring Leith’s Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithi) from Appendix II to Appendix I of the CITES has been adopted by the Conference of Parties (CoP) to CITES in its 19th Meeting at Panama.

Background:

Nilssonia leithii was included in Appendix II at CoP16 (2016) under the name Aspideretes leith.

However, the name was amended to N. leithii to follow the nomenclature adopted at CoP16 in relation to other species of the genus Nilssonia.

#COP19

@CITES

There are 3 species of Nilssonia currently listed in Appendix I (N. gangetica, N. hurum and N. nigricans).

Leith's softshell turtle (Nilssonia leithii):

1. It is a species of turtle in the family Trionychidae.

2. The specific name, leithii, is in honor of Andrew H. Leith, a physician with the Bombay Sanitary Commission.

3. It is a large freshwater turtle endemic to peninsular India, where it occurs in rivers and reservoirs.

a. It is generally distributed in the east -west-flowing rivers arising from the low hills of Peninsular India, with isolated records from large reservoirs and occasional encounters in estuarine habitats.

b. It is now restricted to the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Earlier, it was found in Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh too. Note: It does not occur in Goa.

4. It is an intermediate between Nilssonia gangetica and Nilssonia hurum.

5. It is an omnivore. It preys on mosquito larvae, crabs, freshwater molluscs, and fish.

6. It is protected under Schedule IV of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972).

7. It is listed as CRITICALLY ENDANGERED in IUCN's Red List.

8. Currently, it is listed in CITES Appendix II.

9. Threats: Habitat loss and illegal collection and trade both locally and internationally. It is used as an ingredient in soups and traditional medicines in East and South-East Asian countries.

Read here: t.me/EnvirForUPSC/6…