New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): The Ganga River, which holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in India, is once again becoming a vital sanctuary for life. Among the notable signs of this transformation is the return of the endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) to the waters of the Ganga, marking a remarkable step in both wildlife conservation and the restoration of the river’s ecosystem.
Historically, the population of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle had seen a sharp decline, particularly in the river’s North Indian stretch. This turtle species had nearly disappeared from the Ganga, with the last confirmed sightings occurring over three decades ago near the Bijnore barrage. However, recent efforts to assess and restore turtle populations along the river have begun to yield promising results.
The Namami Gange initiative, in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation (TSAFI), has been instrumental in facilitating this progress. In 2020, a detailed assessment of turtle diversity at the Haiderpur Wetland Complex (HWC) was conducted, followed by a Habitat Evaluation study near Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2022. These studies found a significant turtle population, with nine species recorded at HWC and indirect evidence of five species in Prayagraj. However, no viable population of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle was found until recently.
In a historic move on April 26, 2025, 20 Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles were safely relocated from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Center, part of the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, and released into the Haiderpur Wetland. These turtles were tagged with sonic devices to monitor their movement and safety, a key component of the ongoing conservation efforts. The turtles were divided into two groups: one was released upstream above the Haiderpur barrage, while the other was set free downstream in the main Ganga channel. This two-pronged approach aims to evaluate the best method for reintroducing the species.
As part of the reintroduction plan, the Haiderpur Wetland will be connected to the main channel of the Ganga during the monsoon season, allowing the turtles to naturally disperse. Over the next two years, these turtles will be closely monitored to track their migration and adaptation to the river’s ecosystem.
This marks the first major attempt to reintroduce the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle into the Ganga using a ‘soft’ versus ‘hard’ release strategy, with the goal of ensuring a stable, self-sustaining population. The initiative has garnered support from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and is expected to significantly contribute to the conservation of turtle species, as well as the broader restoration of the Ganga’s biodiversity.
The successful collaboration of various stakeholders in this mission highlights the effectiveness of the Namami Gange Mission, which not only focuses on cleaning the Ganga but also plays a pivotal role in restoring the river’s rich biodiversity and ecosystem. The return of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle serves as a hopeful reminder of the positive impact that concerted conservation efforts can have on endangered species and their habitats.
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