GUWAHATI: A professor of science at the Assam University has saved an Indian peacock soft-shell turtle (nilssonia hurum) from being sold in the fish market.
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Indian peacock soft-shell turtle (nilssonia hurum) is a species of turtle found in South Asia and is listed on the IUCN Red list as vulnerable species.
The professor is Dr Sarbani Giri, Head, Dept, Life Science and Bioinformatics and Dean, School of Life Sciences, Assam University, Silchar.
As per Cachar Forest Division, Dr Sarbani Giri went to the fish market as usual to buy fish and found a man selling a live turtle in the market. He wanted to cut the turtle into pieces and sell it, but Dr Sarbani Giri immediately offered to buy it alive for Rs. 4000.
She then brought it to her home and called up Cachar Forest Division, Silchar to take the turtle to some safe place and release it in its natural and safe habitat.
“The Forest department has taken the turtle from Dr Sarbani Giri and we are thankful to her profusely for saving the life of this turtle,” informed Sailendra Pandey, PRO to Parimal Suklabaidya, Environment and Forest Minister, Govt of Assam.
The Forest Department has also decided to team up with Fisheries Department to create awareness among the fisherman about the turtle so as to protect it from such incident in the future.
