The black softshell turtle, previously believed extinct in the wild, is now categorized as ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN. Conservation efforts, including an MoU between Assam forest department and NGOs, aim to raise 1,000 turtles by 2030. Once found only in temples in Assam and Bangladesh, successful breeding programs have reintroduced over 300 turtles into the wild, specifically in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and the Brahmaputra basin in North Assam.

Conservation 

• The black softshell turtle, once considered extinct in the wild, was known solely from a sacred pond at the Bostami shrine in Bangladesh.
• Recent sightings in Nagaland, West Bengal, and along the Brahmaputra River in Assam indicate the need for comprehensive field investigations to understand the species’ distribution.
• Traditionally hunted for meat and cartilage, these sightings suggest the existence of fragmented populations, potentially with critically low adult numbers.
• To address this, a proposed species distribution modeling will integrate historical records, secondary information, and ethnic knowledge along potential habitats.
• While some temples still harbor sizable populations, the species requires sustained conservation initiatives for recovery.
• A conservation action plan is proposed to protect and propagate temple turtle populations, including health assessments in two temple ponds and awareness initiatives to change temple authorities’ attitudes.
• The project extends awareness activities to active fishermen, involving them as stakeholders to strengthen regional conservation efforts.
• A white paper will be prepared for circulation among government departments, providing guidelines to enhance the care of captive turtle populations in temple ponds throughout Assam.

The project yielded key insights into the distribution, habitat suitability, and health of black softshell turtles in temple ponds. A new facility will annually head start 200 hatchlings, contributing to the Vision 2030 goal of restoring 1,000 turtles to the Brahmaputra Floodplain.

Turtle conservation: There are various initiatives.

1. National Marine Turtle Action Plan – It contains ways and means to not only promote inter-sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals and also conservation of marine turtles.
2. Indian Ocean Sea Turtle Agreement (IOSEA) – India is a signatory to the Indian Ocean Sea Turtle Agreement (IOSEA) of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), a United Nations backed initiative. It puts in place a framework through which States of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region, as well as other concerned States, can work together to conserve and replenish depleted marine turtle populations for which they share responsibility.
3. KURMA App – It has a built-in digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises of India. The Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) collaborated with the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India to develop it.

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