Population ecology of a freshwater turtle Kachuga tentoria near Panchnada (Etawah :U.P.) and its role as water purifier

                       

S. Narain¹, Ashish Tripathi¹ and S.B. Mishra²

¹P.G. Department of Zoology, Janta College, Bakewar, Etawah-206 001, India

²National Chambal Sanctuary, Agra, India

 

(Received: 16 October, 2004 ; Accepted: 3 August, 2005)

 

Abstract: The present study deals with biology, ecology and population dynamics of freshwater turtle Kachuga tentoria and its role as water purifier. The study area Panchnada is the site, where five important national rivers meet together and is preserving an appreciable population of nine species of fresh water turtles. Kachuga tentoria was located at all the sampling stations surveyed by the authors, and hence selected for the present study. Different activities (nesting, incubation, predation and other reproductive aspects), climatic conditions, habitat, population density and morphometric features were worked out in detail. A time bound conservation strategy is needed to save this species from extinction. In situ conservation will be more helpful for the recruitment of the population of this species. It will help in the “hatch and release programme” to clean different polluted national rivers.

 

Key words: Population ecology, Fresh water turtles, Kachuga tentoria, Water purifier, Panchnada, Conservation strategy, Hatch and release programme.

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