70 Rare turtles to be released in Pobitora

In collaboration with Hayagriva Madhava Temple management committee, Ugratara Temple Management, Turtle Survival Alliance and Help Earth, the Assam Forest Department has planned to release 70 hatchlings Black Softshell turtle and Indian Softshell turtle, in the Pobitora WLS on Monday.

All these turtle were bred in Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo and Ugratara Temple Guwahati.

This wild restocking programme of turtle is important to sustain turtle in Brahmaputra river system, especially in the case of Extinct in the Wild species, Black Softshell Turtle. The hatchlings were nurtured at conservation facility at Assam State Zoo.

Assam is the most species rich state in India in terms of turtle diversity. It is home to 20 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises out of 29 species present in India. Unfortunately 70% of these species of turtles are threatened with extinction.