LUCKNOW: India’s new conservation effort to protect endangered river turtles in the Ganga River is turning heads globally. The endangered river turtles project, launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aims to revive species that vanished from the Ganga decades ago.
Under this two-year project, 20 critically endangered turtles have been tagged with sonic devices. These devices will track their movement and safety as they transition from captivity to natural wetland habitats. The first batch has been moved to a Turtle Conservation Centre in Uttar Pradesh.
The Ministry explained that during the monsoon, these wetlands will reconnect with the Ganga, letting the turtles swim back into their ancestral waters naturally. “This initiative marks a historic step in the Ganga’s ecosystem,” officials stated.
For three decades, no red-crowned roofed turtles were seen in the Ganga’s main channel. Now, experts have found signs of at least nine of these endangered river turtles returning near Prayagraj. Additionally, five other vulnerable species have been identified.
This revival stems from the broader Ganga revival Mission, which focuses on cleaning the river and rebuilding its fragile biodiversity. The river, often called India’s lifeline, supports thousands of communities and countless species.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti, formed in 2019, leads this charge to protect water resources. It’s now being praised for taking science-backed steps to protect India’s freshwater heritage.
Interestingly, conservationists believe these efforts could also revive fish populations and improve water quality long term. Locals in the region have shown support, knowing that healthier rivers lead to better livelihoods.
In addition, India’s strategy may set a precedent for other countries tackling freshwater biodiversity loss. As the Ganga flows cleaner and fuller, it just might bring back more than turtles.
