From Rokibuz Zaman GUWAHATI: A significant temple in Assam has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 2 NGOs, the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden along with the Kamrup district management to get long-term conservation of this rare freshwater black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans).
The signing ceremony held in Kamrup deputy commissioner office also indicated the launching of a vision record 2030 by putting in motion a strategy to have a viable population of 1000 adults of black softshell turtle in Assam from 2030.
It was established after Turtle Survival Alliance India and Assist Earth signed the pact between the Hayagriva Madhava Temple Committee.
The ponds at the temple, despised by the Hindus and Buddhists, reaches Hajo, roughly 30 kilometers northwest of Guwahati, harbour various endangered species of turtles.
“But because the turtles have been conserved in such ponds only dependent on the spiritual grounds many biological necessities for developing a sustainable wild inhabitants have been overlooked.
This multi stakeholder institution eventually intends to restock the crazy, workable, self indulgent and pure endangered tribe populations in the area,” explained Arpita Dutta of Turtle Survival.
Dutta stated Turtle Survival Alliance provides help for the necessary progress of husbandry of turtles stored in these ponds and additional recovery attempts are suggested for its long-term survival and presence of these endangered freshwater turtles.
The species has been considered to be’extinct in the wild’, merely being restricted to a spiritual websites in Northeastern India and Bangladesh.
But, depending on the preliminary info, its own IUCN standing was downlisted into’Critically Endangered’ at 2021 but doesn’t enjoy legal protection under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Traditionally being searched ruthlessly because of its bones and meat and contested by illegal commerce in regional and worldwide markets, the current sightings imply the existence of significant populations, although the amount of mature people could be radically reduced.
Kamrup deputy commissioner Kailash Kartik N emphasised of mass consciousness about the conservation problems of species of turtles in the area when focusing on dangers and opportunities to reinforce the dark softshell turtle people in Assam.
It was also suggested that hatchlings from eastern Assam could be kept in Nature Discovery Centre, Biswanath Ghat below aegis of Turtle Survival Alliance India for good upkeep and observation before discharge to the wild.
Biswanath Ghat is approximately 240 km north of Guwahati.