Why in News ?
A critically endangered resident of the Sunderbans is set to get a new home, beginning a slow journey to recovery from a disastrous decline in the wild. It is more threatened than the Bengal tiger, but far less known.
Northern river terrapin (Batagur baska)
- The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) is a species of riverine turtle native to
- It is classified Critically Endangered by the IUCN and considered extinct in much of its former range.
- Northern river terrapin is one of Asia’s largest freshwater and brackwater turtles, reaching a carapace length of up to 60 cm and a maximum weight of 18 kg.
- The species is currently found in Bangladesh (in the Sundarbans), Cambodia, India (parts- West Bengal & Odisha), Indonesia and Malaysia.
- It is regionally extinct in Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source : The Hindu
GS III : Environmental conservation