Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle

Prelims – Species

Context:

After nearly three decades, the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle has been successfully reintroduced into the Ganga River under the Namami Gange Mission. This milestone was achieved at the Haiderpur Wetland, with support from the Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAFI), the Indian division of the global Turtle Survival Alliance, under the IUCN framework.

About the Species

• Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga
• Common Name: Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle or Bengal Roof Turtle
• Family: Geoemydidae
• Endemism: One of 24 turtle species native to India

Physical Characteristics

• Distinctive Features:
  • Reddish-orange head with a striking black crown
  • Carapace: Greenish-brown with yellow markings
  • Plastron: Yellow interior with black patterns
  • Broad head, strong jaws, and webbed feet assist in swimming
• Shell Traits:
  • Juveniles have a keeled (ridged) shell and sharply angled plastron
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Females: Larger in size (up to 56 cm long, 25 kg weight)
  • Males: Smaller, with vivid red, blue, yellow, and white facial stripes

Habitat and Distribution

• Historical Range:
  • Once widely distributed across river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, especially the Ganga, Chambal, and Brahmaputra
• Current Viable Population:
  • Confined to the National Chambal Sanctuary in India

Ecological Behavior

• Diet: Omnivorous
• Reproduction: Breeds during March–April; lays 11–30 eggs

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (CR)
• Wildlife Protection Act (India): Schedule I
• CITES: Listed in Appendix II

Major Threats

• Anthropogenic Pressures:
  • Pollution from industrial and domestic sources
  • River damming and excessive water extraction
• Habitat Loss:
  • Nesting sites destroyed by sand mining, riverbank farming
• High Mortality Factors:
  • Entanglement in fishing nets
  • Poaching for illegal pet trade
  • Collection for consumption and exotic pet markets