Turtle meat emerging a popular delicacy in NE

Aizawl, Apr 9: After many adventurous food, meat of turtle and tortoise, which are endangered species included in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, have become one of the favourite delicacies among the NE people here.

But for the truly discerning gourmet, connoisseurs will point out that nothing can surpass the flavour of turtles and tortoises, in many markets across NE region, considered a prized -- and rare -- delicacy despite government diktat against the eating of this particular creatures.

''Our country represents one of Asia's most diverse turtles fauna. About 26 species of turtles and tortoises are found in India, of which 19 alone are in NE region. These now face a uncertain future due to indiscriminate hunting and killing for meat'', turtles researcher and investigator Kulendra Chandra Dass from department of Ecology and Environmental science, Assam, University told UNI here.

Despite imposing Indian Wildlife Protection Act, due to weak law enforcement, there is high demand of turtle meat in many markets across all the NE states, he added.

Mr Dass, who has researched and surveyed this endangered species especially in the NE region, for the past four years, highlighted that for past three years more than one thousand turtles of about five rare varieties have been killed and sold in Silchar (Asom) market alone.

''Per kilo of turtle meat costs between Rs 350 and Rs 450'', he said.

Mr Dass said besides being sold as meat, many people have started hunting, trapping and collecting both turtles and tortoises for consumption.

He said many people are not aware that fresh water turtles are known to be water purifiers and also used as biological control agents for live-stock. Some species feed on poor quality forage that are unsuitable for live-stock converting useless weeds into protein-rich food.

Several turtles feed on water-dwelling organisms, including snails and insects, that may spread different kinds of diseases and by removing these from the ecosystem, tortles help in maintaining a health community of organisms, he explained.

''We have also conducted more than 30 'conservation of turtle' awareness compaign across the region among various school children and people'', he said.

Steev Mc Curry, an internatioinal photo journalist, who is currently touring NE, said ''not only turtles but other wildlife animals are also under severe threat in this region due to indiscriminate hunting and killing.

But for 37-year old Robert, who is a regular hunter of turtles, consideres that consuming turtle flesh and eggs is healthy.

UNI