Justin of Norwich Greenpeace has just finished doing a survey for the Turtle Survival Allliance (India)
"Why are freshwater softshelled turtles important?
In a certain village in India where they worship the turtle there are a complete lack of mosquitoes as the turtles eat the larvae. There was also a case where 50 turtles were released into a stretch of river in order to clean it up. The turtles take out things that should not be there and aerate the water by borrowing in the substrate of the river.
Why are they in danger?
Turtles and all chelonia are being eaten at a frightening rate. Not only by the Chinese but by locals who cannot afford any other meat. The calipee (towards the back of the shell) on the turtle is considered a delicacy and is removed while the turtle is alive, it is also used in Chinese medicine. They are highly endangered."
See his blog for more info: http://justintuijl.com/blog/india.php
In a few days he will fly to Indonesia to continue his voluntary work there.
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