Kendrapara, Aug. 17: The state forest department has busted a turtle smuggling gang and arrested its head.

The head of the gang, Sekhar Jena, 24, was arrested near Madanpur within the limits of Rajkanika police station.

Fourteen live turtles were seized from his possession. The seized turtles were later released into nearby water bodies.

One of his accomplices, however, managed to flee, said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division, Kedar Kumar Swain.

Jena had allegedly expanded his turtle smuggling trade to Calcutta. During interrogation, he has confessed to smuggling turtles.

He procured the live turtles from traditional inland fishermen against hefty payment, the official said.

Jena was arrested under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He was later remanded in judicial custody.

In recent past, four other similar interceptions had been made by the forest department. As freshwater turtles have been accorded protected status and are bracketed as Schedule 1 Aquatic Species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, killing or catching it live for trade is considered a non-bailable offence.

The recent spurt in trade of freshwater turtles has been a cause of concern for forest personnel. Interestingly, most offenders are not even aware of the fact that the reptiles are accorded protected status under wildlife laws.

The number of freshwater turtle is dwindling because of smuggling.

“The forest department would shortly launch a drive in villages coming under Rajnagar, Mahakalpada and Jamboo forest ranges on conservation of turtles. The local settlers, who eke out a living by fishing, would be made aware of the fact that catching alive or killing a freshwater turtle is a punishable offence,” said Swain.