(a) Whether a large number of rare varieties of tortoises were recovered in Andhra Pradesh recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken to protect the life of tortoises?
(a) Whether a large number of rare varieties of tortoises were recovered in Andhra Pradesh recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken to protect the life of tortoises?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a),(b)&(C) Yes Sir. 336 illegally captured tortoises were seized at Gokavaram of East Godavari district during transit in an Ambassador car bearing registration No.AHW 3949 by Andhra Pradesh police on 15-10-2000. Out of the 336 tortoises seized, 184 were alive and they were released immediately in the river Godavari. Remaining 152 tortoises were dead which were buried after Panchnama. A case has been registered under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the accused have been remanded in Central Jail as per orders of Hon`ble Court.