Turtles and Tortoises of Northeast India: Saving them from Extinction!
Aims and objectives:
1. Survey wild turtles and tortoises in protected and non-protected areas
and major turtle markets in the region.
2. Identify viable turtle population, prepare distribution maps using GIS
techniques and assess threats to their existence.
3. Evaluate present conservation measures and wherever necessary propose new
strategies based on new information.
4. Initiate research on selected species and/or populations to gather
biological information, which is very important for long-term conservation
of these species.
5. Outreach programme for local people especially youth and publish
education materials.
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| Study area:
All the seven states, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is being covered under this project. |
The CEPF Small Grants Programme has supported the study in two important corridors, (1) Mehao-Jamjing and Sengagon, (2) Nameri-Eagles's Nest and Sessa in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh while the conservation Leadership Programme has supported the study in rest of the region.
Methods:
Survey- Field survey will be carried out in protected areas, community
or private land or water. The team members will visit prioritized areas on
road and trails guided by knowledgeable local guides or forest staff.
Observations and all relevant information will be recorded on data sheet
including habitat, activities, GPS location and. Baited Hoop Traps (Legler,
1960) and Basking traps will be used in selected localities on trial basis
to gather information on population. Hunters, traders and collectors will be
interviewed to learn more about their distribution, habitat, and extent of
exploitation. Major markets and villages around forests and wetlands will be
investigated to evaluate present and past exploitation trend.
Mapping Distribution- Present and past localities of turtle occurrences will be recorded using handheld GPS and then locations will be plotted on habitat map using the software ARCVIEW (ESRI, 1999) to know the extent of present and past distribution. Information related to trade, habitat and vulnerability will be added to the map, as well as information on population status whenever available.
Evaluation of Conservation Measures- Present conservation measures will be evaluated through group discussion among field team, experts and conservation management authorities. Later based on the outcome of the discussions new conservation strategies will be proposed for further implementation by the management authorities and communities.
Outreach- An outreach programme will be designed to motivate local people, especially youth, and garner their support to attend the call of turtle crisis in the region. Suitable education materials will be published and targeted at the youth. Selected youth will be motivated and involved in continuous monitoring of turtles in the wild, as well as trade in the local market.
Follow up- Most threatened species, viable population and suitable sites will be identified during this study based on the field data. The team along with experts and other collaborators will consult to prepare a list of priority species to initiate natural history study in the wild, which will in turn provide valuable information for conservation and management of those species in the wild or in captivity.
Expected Output
1. Diversity of turtles and tortoises-
site specific, state and regional
2. Assess status of turtles and tortoises- site specific, state, regional
and national
3. Assessment of exploitation level in the local market and any trade links
4. Present and past distribution map in respect to presence, absesnce and
habitat availability
5. Identification of critically threatened species and selection of sites
for follow up research and conservation work.
6. Motivate 100 youth for turtle conservation throughout the region.
7. Capacity building and skill development of three local biologists in
turtle conservation and research.
8. Production of a booklet on turtles in local language
9. A report for managers, policy makers, national and international science
and conservation communities. And scientific publications in a peer reviewed
journal.
10. Learning for team members from field experience and mistakes and self
evaluation to deliver better in future.
Budget: This project has secured US$29,200 from the Conservation
Leadership Programme (US$12,500), the CEPF Small Grants Programme
(US$13,200) from and a leverage amount of US$3,500 from Aaranyak.
For further information please write to:
M Firoz Ahmed
Project Cordinator
firoz@aaranyak.org
Web Links:
Aaranyak
www.aaranyak.org
Conservation Leadership Programme
www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org
CEPF Small Grants Programme www.cepf.org
Publications:
Amphibians and
Reptiles of Northeast India- A Photographic Guide (2009).
Authored by M Firoz Ahmed, Abhijit Das and S K Dutta
More info…
http://www.aaranyak.org/book_herp.htm
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A Project
Initiated by- With support from-
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(C) Aaranyak 2009 info@aaranyak.org