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Photo – Hasham Chippa Courtesy – Azan Karam An Indian soft-shell Turtle (Nils…

Photo – Hasham Chippa
Courtesy – Azan Karam

An Indian soft-shell Turtle (Nilssonia gangeticus) caught by a fisherman at river Swat recently.
It is probably the first ever record of this reptile from river Swat.
But there are some serious questions ;
> As it is globally a (Vulnerable) species according to IUCN, does it mean that It has been present in this river for very long out of our sight because of its dwindling numbers?
> Or a pet-owner has released it into the river?
> Or its just a vagrant from the southern rivers and tributaries?
> If there is still a small population found there where it was caught , then WWF-Pakistan and Divisional Wildlife Office, Saidu Sharif need to take a step and halt fishing there as soon as possible.
Because this species is more threatened and rare than the national animal of Pakistan, Markhor. And I request them to arrange a proper research team and send them there to locate it and check the rest of population, if any is present.


Written by Trekking Swat Valley

This page is to promote tourism in Swat valley. We will post images of beautiful explored and unexplored places of the Swat valley, KPK, P A K I S T A N

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