Source: DH
Context: A total of 340 Indian Star Tortoises were successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild in Jogapur Reserve Forest, Chandrapur, marking a major milestone under the Turtle Rehabilitation Project (TRP).
About Indian Star Tortoises:
- Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Habitat & Distribution:
- Found in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest India, South India, and Sri Lanka.
- Inhabit thorn scrub forests, semi-deserts, grasslands, and lowland dry forests.
- Unique Features:
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- Named for the distinct star-like patterns on their high-domed shell.
- Highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet trade.
- Mostly crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
- Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and flowers.
About the Turtle Rehabilitation Project (TRP):
- What it is?
- A state-level conservation initiative addressing the surge in illegal trade and captivity of tortoises and turtles across Maharashtra.
- Established In: The initiative began in late 2024, gaining momentum with its April 2025 mass release.
- Organisation involved: RESQ Charitable Trust and Maharashtra Forest Department.
- Key Objectives:
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- Rehabilitate rescued tortoises and prepare them for reintegration into wild habitats
- Ensure post-release survival through medical care, environmental acclimatisation, and biometric monitoring
- Promote community awareness through school participation and local engagement
