AHMEDABAD: The illegal trade of turtles in markets of Ahmedabad continues to mushroom unabated. Last year, the trend was to bring home the Red-eared slider of Singapore, this year it is the native Indian roofed turtle or Pangshura tecta.

The turtle, endemic to the Ganges, is terrestrial and lives in fresh water. The reptile goes on to live for 200 years, if reared in its natural habitat, does not survive for more than 20 days after it's bought from pet shops in the city.