Detailed probe sought into death of 36 flapshell turtles in Vadodara

VADODARA: The Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) has demanded a police complaint and detailed inquiry into the death of 36 flapshell turtles in the city.
The turtles were found dead in Kamlanagar lake two days ago and the forest department has already begun inquiry into the matter.
“Death of so many turtles is a serious matter. The lake was given on lease to a contractor for fishing by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).Why is the forest department not asking the civic body to act against the contractor?” questioned Raj Bhavsar of GSPCA, adding that fishermen use low grade explosives below the water surface to kill the fishes.
“It is an illegal act and these blasts have led to the death of the turtles. Such acts should be immediately stopped in other lakes too. I will write to the police department and also seek criminal complaint against the culprits,” Bhavsar added. Hesaid that they have made many complaints to the police about fishermen using the technique of blasting low grade explosives in Mahi River, too.