Record of Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

This paper provides a detailed account of Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831) recorded alive from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. A survey team led  by the first author sighted a juvenile P. tectain KTWR for the first time in March 2020. The individual was found basking on the grassland beside the lake.  The population size of the P. tecta and other testudines is yet to be documented in Nepal; however, the field observation indicates that they are being overexploited for local consumption and trade. Also, giant structures like roads, dams, and new agricultural lands are eroding the turtle habitats. The species is also being  used for traditional medicine against hemorrhoids, inflamed eyes, sores, burns, stomach problems, and tuberculosis (Kästle et al. 2013). All these demand detailed species surveys and science-based conservation actions in Koshi and eastern Terai areas of Nepal to save P. tecta and other threatened turtle species.