In what appears to be a clear indicator of diverse biodiversity surrounding water bodies in the urban area, a group of nature enthusiasts traced nesting of Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata), a freshwater turtle species in Singanallur Lake.
The group could find two adult freshwater turtles near the tank during voluntary afforestation works around the water body on Sunday. The turtles were spotted while returning to the tank from a nesting in the outer bund of the tank.
Vinny Peter, a nature enthusiasts who is part of the afforestation works on the lake bund, said that turtles were spotted by P. Kalaivani, one of the volunteers.
“The sighting of the Flapshell Turtle at the lake is a clear indicator of the biodiversity the water body boasts of even amidst pollution caused by urbanisation. A nesting of the turtle was found in the outer bund of the tank from where the two turtles were crawling back to water. It is a good sign that even tanks within the city is home for species like Flapshell Turtle,” said Ms. Peter.
A protected species under Wildlife Protection Act, Indian Flapshell Turtle is also covered under appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a treaty protecting endangered species.
According to Ms. Peter, sighting of Flapshell Turtle at Singanallur Lake also testifies the ‘Urban Biodiversity Conservation Zone’ tag Coimbatore Corporation gave to the water body in July last year.
“In the last 10 years, around 750 species of aquatic creatures, birds, plants, reptiles, rodents, and mammals were recorded in and around the Singanallur Lake. Of the total flora and fauna recorded in the ecosystem, 170 species were birds, 400 species were plants and 70 species were butterflies,” Ms. Vinny added.
District Forest Officer N. Satheesh said that creating awareness among the public was vital in protecting species such as Indian Flapshell Turtle as they were often trafficked to be kept as pet and for other purposes.
