Many goods from Nepal used to be stolen and exported to Tibet. It is heard that such thefts are still happening from time to time. But three decades ago, the attempted theft of turtles in Tibet was a new incident for Nepal.

On October 1, 2051, when 128 turtles were caught by the Bhaktapur administration while taking Tatopani from Nawalparasi through Arani road, then its secret was revealed . Those turtles caught in the Narayani river were tried to be taken to Tibet through the Tatopani crossing by the traders running the smuggling business. The administration found the trucks containing the turtles. This was probably the first case of a turtle being taken to Tibet. 

In China, due to the high demand for turtles to make the famous 'turtle soup', they are being smuggled in the hope of getting a good price. 81 dead and 47 alive turtles were handed over to Sadar Zoo Jawalakhel by District Forest Office Bhaktapur. The then executive director of the zoo. According to Tirthaman Maske, 11 more turtles recovered died in three days. Jeet Bahadur Giri was handed over to Zipraka on the charge of being involved in the theft of turtles. 

The chief district officer of Bhaktapur informed that there is pressure to release the turtle smuggler. Prajia Devraj Regmi informed that they were pressured to leave Banepa on the pretext of trying to take them to keep turtles. According to him, the turtle was hurriedly handed over to the forest office after the pressure started.

The smuggling of rare species of turtles was prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act. But at that time the turtle was not considered a rare wild animal by law. India was protecting it by keeping it in the list of rare animals. Although Nepal has signed the Convention on the Control of Trade in Rare Wildlife, the law has not been effective .

dr. According to Maske, 7 species of turtles were found in Nepal at that time. The turtles that were going to be smuggled were of 4 species . At that time turtles were found especially in the Narayani, Koshi and Karnali rivers of Nepal . There was no study on turtles in Nepal. Maske informed that the number of turtles that survive by eating fish and chipley worms is decreasing due to river dams, local hunting and pollution. Maske said that it would be difficult for turtles living in high temperatures to live in Kathmandu. He said that turtles have become rare in Nepal. He argued that multiple breeding programs should be conducted to increase the number of turtles.

31 years ago, the content prepared by journalist Narayan Wagle focusing on the issue of smuggling of turtles to Tibet, situation of turtles in Nepal, legal system etc. was published by Kantipur Daily on 25th October 2051 under the title 'These turtles not brought to reach Kodari' . According to Karan Bahadur Shah, a well-known professor of turtles, there are currently at least 17 species of turtles found in Nepal. He said that new species of turtles are being discovered during the study.

A turtle conservation project has been conducted in Kasara of Chitwan National Park. He said that the number of turtles is increasing in different parts of the country. Because the turtle is listed under the International Convention on Wildlife, it is prohibited to hunt or transport it. According to Professor Shah, there is a tradition of keeping turtles in China and using them as meat even in high-level banquets. They consider turtle meat as a good dish. He narrated the experience of smugglers bringing turtles brought from India, Bangladesh and other countries in sacks and taking them to Tibet through the Tatopani border.