Study brings Indian star tortoise to evidence-based conservation

Context: The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a sight to behold, with
its obsidian shell and the striking sun-yellow star patterns adorning it. These
tortoises are hardy herbivores and are popular as exotic house pets. It’s
illegal to own one in India but also unethical since they are vulnerable in the
wild. Endemic to the subcontinent, Indian star tortoises reside in arid pockets
of northwest India (bordering Pakistan), South India, and Sri Lanka. The Indian
star tortoise is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and in Schedule I of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Key points

·       Overview: A recent study
on the Indian star tortoise distributed across South Asia has revealed that the
genetic diversity of the species as well as its habitat has suffered major
losses because of rampant illegal trade.

·       Recent
study: The research report said the species is facing twin challenges of a
threat to its habitat at one level and loss of its genetic diversity at the
other. It calls for a proper conservation strategy to combat the fragmented
distribution and explicitly recommends intensive genetic screening of founder
individuals or isolated adult colonies by implementing scientific breeding.

·       Indian
Star Tortoise: Millions of years ago, Geochelone, the group that
includes the Indian star tortoise, spread across the Indian subcontinent after
the latter split from the Gondwana supercontinent and collided with Eurasia. Indian
star tortoise is found in the central and Southern parts of India, in West
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Threat - The highly
fragmented habitat of the species, is greatly influenced by an increased level
of urbanisation and agricultural practices throughout its range.

Conservation
Efforts - At the 18th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP18) held in 2019,
Indian Star Tortoise was up-listed to Appendix I from Appendix II owing to its
over-exploitation. 

·       CITES: The Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an
international agreement between governments. It aims to ensure that
international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten
the survival of the species.