Indian Star Tortoise

Why in News?

• A new study on the Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) has recently found that illegal trade and unscientific translocations are causing major losses to the species’ genetic diversity and habitat.

Highlights

• The research calls for proper conservation strategy to combat the fragmented distribution and recommends intensive genetic screening of the species to implement scientific breeding.
• Indian star tortoises are found across the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, in the Central and Southern parts of India, in West Pakistan and in Sri Lanka.
• It Is typically found in dry, open habitats such as forests, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings.
• The species is facing twin challenges of a threat to its habitat at one level and loss of its genetic diversity at the other.
• Their highly fragmented habitat of the species is greatly influenced by an increased level of urbanization and agricultural practices.
• Due to subsequent hybridisation of these species over the years, Indian star tortoises have lost genetic diversity.
• Also, according to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, 90% of the trade of Star Tortoise occurs as part of the international pet market.
• Its Protection Status are IUCN Red List: Vulnerable, Wild Life Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV and Convention on International Trade in Species (CITES): Appendix I