Turtles poaching go unabated in state

Turtles will soon face extinction in Haryana if their poaching go unabated in the state. Recently, the villagers had saved dozens of turtles from poachers in Nadhori village near Bhuna in Fatehabad, and the culprits were let off after the wildlife department imposed fine on them.

Turtles will soon face extinction in Haryana if their poaching go unabated in the state. Recently, the villagers had saved dozens of turtles from poachers in Nadhori village near Bhuna in Fatehabad, and the culprits were let off after the wildlife department imposed fine on them.


On July 30, the residents of Kanhari village noticed two persons poaching turtles from the village pond and when raised alarm, one of them escaped and another was nabbed with 16 turtles, of which five were found dead. A net was also seized from him.

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Later, the residents informed wildlife inspector Dwarka Prasad, who fined Leelu, the poacher, and realised Rs 10,500 from him and let him off.

Prasad said: "The accused will be produced before the wildlife court at Kurukshetra and sent to jail for further trial if he does not pay fine."

The rate of turtles in national and international market is quite high and the paltry fine imposed on poachers will not deter them.

It is easy for them to pay small fine here and earn handsome money in Delhi where they sell the turtles. It is reported that from Delhi the smugglers sell these turtles in the international black market.