In a significant conservation effort, the second batch of 110 Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings has been successfully released into the Sildubi Wetland at Panpur, located within the Biswanath Wildlife Division of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR). This release follows an earlier event on October 24, 2025, where 110 hatchlings were released at Roumari Beel, totaling 220 hatchlings aimed at boosting the population of this threatened species.
At the release event, held in the presence of Hon’ble MLA of Naduar Constituency, Shri Padma Hazarika, he emphasized the crucial role freshwater turtles play as indicators of wetland health and as vital components of balanced river ecosystems. Shri Hazarika also acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the Nagshankar Temple Committee, KNP & TR, and the India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP), underscoring the community’s commitment to conservation.
This initiative, a partnership between the Assam Forest Department and ITCP, involves the rescue of turtle eggs from the Nagshankar Temple. The eggs are incubated under secure and controlled conditions to ensure the healthy hatchling release, contributing significantly to the recovery efforts for the Black Softshell Turtle populations within the Brahmaputra River basin.
