Instagram Live with Dr. Arunima Singh
- ruchira nigam
- May 26
- 4 min read
Blog No. 2125/PI - Written by -
Ruchira Nigam, Project Coordinator, Prithvi Innovations &
Ms. Anuradha Gupta, Founder General Secretary, Prithvi Innovations
World Turtle Day Celebrations through 🌿🐢Prithvi's World Turtle Day Special Instagram LIVE Talk Show Series. - 📺 Episode 12 of Season 3 of Bioscope – “Aashayein” - Voices of Mother Earth
Date: 24th May 2025 - Saturday 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Arunima Singh, Head, India Turtle Conservation Program
Moderated by: Ms. Anuradha Gupta, Founder, Prithvi Innovations
Featuring: Dr. Arunima Singh, Young Green Yodha #13 & Head, India Turtle Conservation Program. Dr. Singh has received advanced training in turtle husbandry at various international institutions, including the Bronx Zoo, New York. She also serves as a visiting faculty member at the Forest Training Institute, where she trains frontline forest staff and students in wildlife conservation techniques.
She has mentored over 50 M.Sc. students in their dissertation work and has represented Indian turtle conservation efforts in more than five countries through international presentations and collaborations. Her dedication has earned her several accolades, including The NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award and a 2025 nomination for the Future for Nature Award.
Ms. Anuradha started the Show by wishing everyone a very Happy International Day for Biological Diversity and Welcoming Dr. Arunima Singh on the Show with her brief introduction as a member of the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and the Society for Conservation Biology. Her expertise lies in ex-situ conservation, and she has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 30,000 confiscated turtles in collaboration with enforcement agencies across India.
The conversation rolled on naturally and very interestingly with Dr. Arunima sharing facts, information and personal experiences of Turtle rescue operations in response to the variety of questions , as given below, raised by the host Ms. Anuradha Gupta during the Live Show of 1 hour 23 minutes.
Key Questions & Discussion Points:
Asked by the Moderator, Ms. Anuradha was the practice to keep Turtles at Home: A Serious Concern Dr. Singh opened with the legal and ethical reasons why freshwater turtles and tortoises - all Schedule I species under the IUCN—should never be kept as pets, used for meat, medicinal extracts, or in religious rituals. Their complex habitat and long lifespans make captive care unsustainable and cruel.
Followed by the 2nd question on the Harmful Effects of Pet and Consumptive TradeDr. Arunima detailed how removing turtles from the wild disrupts ecosystems, spreads disease, and causes chronic stress and malnutrition in captive animals. Turtle-borne pathogens also pose risks to human health.
The 3rd question highlighted the Dark World of Illegal Turtle Trade Dr. Singh exposed trafficking networks that smuggle thousands of turtles annually across borders, often hidden in luggage or cargo, supplying meat, medicinal markets, and the exotic pet trade.
The interactive session was followed by the Practical analysis by Dr. Arunima on the Shell Secrets: Freshwater Turtles & Tortoises Highlighting unique features—like sensory pits on softshells, the domed carapace of tortoises, and specialized respiratory adaptations—she brought these “living fossils” to life.
Ms. Anuradha in the conversation also asked about the global distribution of turtle species?
Dr. Arunima told about the Turtles range from the Arctic’s leatherbacks to tropical river terrapins in South Asia. Freshwater species are concentrated in Southeast Asia, Central Africa, and the Amazon basin - regions where habitat loss and trade overlap dangerously.
Global Snapshot
Total Turtle and Tortoise Species Worldwide: ~360 recognized species
Softshell Turtles (Family Trionychidae): ~30+ species, mostly in Asia and Africa
Tortoises (Family Testudinidae): ~50 species, many in Africa, Asia, and dry zones
Freshwater Turtles (various families): Majority of global diversity
Marine Turtles: 7 species (e.g., Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, Leatherback, etc.)
Dr. Singh also briefed about the basic difference between Hard Shell vs. Soft Shell & Turtles vs. Tortoises by giving a clear primer: hard shell turtles have rugged, bony carapaces; softshells sport flexible, leathery armor. Tortoises are strictly land-dwelling, whereas turtles are semi-aquatic or marine.
Which Shell Type Faces Greater Trade Pressure?Softshells, prized for their tender meat and “beautiful” skins, suffer disproportionately from smuggling and overharvesting.
Turtle Parts in Traditional Medicine She named the most commonly exploited parts—plastron for tonic brews, cartilage for joint remedies—and debunked myths about their efficacy.
Demand Driven by Misconceptions Dr. Singh critiqued the belief—prevalent in some Chinese markets—that wild-animal extracts are more potent than plant-based medicines, noting how this fuels unsustainable trade.
Roles in Conservation: Government & Individuals She outlined policy measures—strict enforcement of wildlife laws, habitat protection—and grassroots actions like citizen reporting of trafficking, community guard programs, and backyard pond restoration.
Family & Community SupportA heartfelt shout-out to her father, whose unwavering encouragement enabled her career in turtle conservation—a reminder that personal champions matter.
🤝 Lastly, Ms. Anuradha, asked about the Collaborative Initiative with Prithvi Innovations can join hands in turtle conservation? in which, Dr. Arunima shared actionable ideas like:
Creating awareness videos & educational kits
Conducting community workshops & school orientations
Organizing student visits to Kukrail Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
Promoting youth engagement through storytelling & field visits
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