An analysis of the illegal trade of non-marine chelonians in West Bengal, India: Study based on a seven-year confiscation history

This study of the illegal trade in non-marine chelonians (NMC) in West Bengal is based on 133 confiscation reports from various online news sources and from Divisional Forest Department Offices obtained in the period 2017–2023. A total of 33,317 NMC seizures were identified, spanning nine different species, three Endangered, three Vulnerable, one each of Near Threatened and Least Concern, and one invasive alien. The vast majority of seizures were of two species, the Indian flapshell turtle Lissemys punctata, which is a soft shelled species and accounted for 94% of identified seizures, and the Indian star tortoises Geochelone elegans that accounted for 5.2% of NMC. Confiscations were from 15 districts of West Bengal of which North 24 Parganas district was found to be a particular hotspot accounting for 57% of cases. The supply chain of L. punctata extended beyond West Bengal to Uttar Pradesh (50%) and Odisha (25%), whereas G. elegans were smuggled exclusively from Tamil Nadu. Additionally, 349 kg of body parts were seized. All confiscated items were meant either for domestic consumption or for illegal supply to markets in Bangladesh. Significantly more confiscations were recorded during the winter season. NMC seizures remained more or less constant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with an increase in the involvement of women in illegal trading. West Bengal is a significant hub for the illegal trade of NMC and stringent conservation measures are required, in collaboration with various stakeholders, to prevent regional extinction of the species involved and the detrimental impacts of the local release of seized NMC.