Operation Kachchhap

Why is in news? DRI saves 955 live baby Gangetic turtles in a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade in multicity Operation “Kachchhap”; apprehends 6 persons

Intelligence was developed by the officers of DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) about a syndicate involved in illegal trafficking and trading of ‘’Turtles of Ganges’’, some of which are specified as vulnerable/ near threatened species under IUCN Red List and Schedule I and II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Illegal trade and habitat degradation are major threats to these species.

The Officers of DRI chalked out an intricate all-India plan to apprehend the offenders at different locations in the country simultaneously and rescue the turtles.

Concerted all-India efforts by the officers resulted in interception of a total of 6 persons and a total recovery of 955 live baby turtles of different species at Nagpur, Bhopal and Chennai on 30.09.2023. The species of Gangetic turtles rescued are Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Crown River Turtle, Black spotted/Pond Turtle and Brown Roofed Turtle.

After the initial seizure under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the perpetrators and Gangetic turtles were handed over to the respective Forest Departments for further investigation.

Operation Kachhapa:

Conservation of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle was launched by the Wildlife Protection Society of India in collaboration with the Orissa State Forest Department and the Wildlife Society of Orissa and other local NGOs.

It was launched in September 1998.

Objective is to reduce turtle mortality and try to safeguard the future of the species by concentrating on three main activities:

To improve patrolling of non-fishing zones and the protection of nesting sites.

To support legal action on turtle conservation and fishing law violations.

To build public support and awareness of sea turtle conservation issues.