NEW IND PRESS (Chennai, India) 10 July 07 Star tortoises bring luck? No, say experts
Bangalore: What’s getting the star tortoise into trouble? Seems like its people’s greed for good luck. With most of the demand for the tiny animals stemming from superstition, people are apparently rushing to buy them without knowing what they really mean.
Going by the Chinese Feng Shui, the tortoise (Geochelon elegans) symbolises the northern direction, because of its shell - the north is symbolised by a mountain, which means protection.
Apparently, it is usually considered that it would augur well if the northern part of a plot of land is raised. Feng Shui expert SBS Surendran told this website's newspaper that the tortoise stands for longevity and good health.
‘‘They are also symbols of protection, due to their shell. In Chinese countries, people reared them decades ago scientifically, for they worshipped them. Fifteen kilometres away from Singapore, in Kusu Island, the Taoist community worshiped them. The concept behind this is linked to land reforms, where people can acquire a good piece of land or construct property and harmonise. But these are superstitious beliefs. It does not mean that people should rear tortoises in their house or keep them in captivity,’’ he said.
The animals also do not bring good luck, as people assume. The shape and size of the immediate surroundings have an effect on people, not animals.
‘‘Anything which moves fast, or does not fight, or create bad energy, or looks pleasant, is believed to bring luck. But not a tortoise,’’ Surendran asserted.
Chinese belief has it that each of the four directions are symbolized by an animal. The north with the tortoise, the east with dragon, west with tiger and south with phoenix.
‘‘It does not mean people keep all these animals in their house as they will bring good fortune. Each animal symbolises a particular element and the way the house should be constructed or decorated. The low cost books available in markets are misguiding people, compelling them to indulge in harmful malpractice,’’ he said.
Vaastu and Feng Shui has a cause and effect with the immediate environment. Such illegal activities have been taking place since years and people believe them without scientific analysis, thereby giving Feng Shui a bad name, he said.
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NEW IND PRESS (Chennai, India) 10 July 07 Eight rescued tortoises die
Bangalore: Eight of the 648 star tortoises rescued by the Yeshwantpur Railway police have died. The others are being treated at the Bannerghatta Biological Park.
The creatures were entrusted to the urban forest officials on Monday afternoon. ‘‘We were awaiting an order of the magistrate. The accused Saleem, a pet shop worker in Shivajinagar, is under judicial custody and is being interrogated by the police,’’ said DySP KH Srinivasan.
Speaking tothis website's newspaper, principal chief conservator of Forests Avani Kumar Verma said that the department had handed over the tortoises to the BBP for treatment. The PCCF said that the department had asked for an inquiry into the poaching of star tortoises in Mulbagal in Kolar and Srinivasapura.
‘‘We have also instructed the local staff to maintain a vigil on the locals and the illegal trade,’’ he added.
Assistant director, Veterinary Services, Dr GK Vishwanath said that 640 tortoises were healthy but were dehydrated when brought in. ‘‘They have been given treatment. They are first kept in luke warm water for 10 minutes. Eye drops, oral medication and liquid diet follow. They are presently kept in two separate rooms and have not been mixed with the 25 star tortoises which the BBP already possesses. They will be released after the PCCF issues instructions,’’ he said.
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