Critically endangered turtles released in zoo

 GUWAHATI, May 23: Fourteen rescued critically endangered turtles were released in Guwahati State Zoo cum Botanical Garden (GSZBG) by forest minister Atowa Munda  on the occasion of  World Turtle Day today.

The programme was organized by GSZBG, collaborated with NGO Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAI) to observe the World Turtle Day. Munda said, “This is a very good initiative of the Zoo to save the endangered species of the region. I also thank TSAI to take this initiative and request other NGOs also to come forward for this type of works. I hope, there would be more turtles rescued later and can be saved in zoo.”  

Speaking on the occasion , the Assistant Conservator of GSZBG Nripen Kalita said, “The NGO initiated to save the critically endangered species in turtle, which found only in this region of the world. The turtles were of three kinds as four Assam Roof Turtle, which locally called as Fulam Dura or Asomi Dura, four Spotted Pond Turtle and six Yellow Tortoises. The Assam roof turtle are only found in Kaziranga area of the state and Sylhet area of Bangladesh in the world, which are very rare to find.”

Project officer of TSAI Akash Singh said, “We made a pact with the Zoo to release some turtle here in last October month in 2014, and started to make the enclosure of 1300 square feet for keeping the turtles. Now there would be 200 Assam roof turtle can be hold in the enclosure.”

Other people presenting the programme were, Additiol Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Planning SK Srivastava, conservator of forest of Central Assam circle Utpal Borah, deputy conservator of forest of Enforcement Wildlife F Rahman, district forest officer Chandan Borah, state coorditor TSAI Raja Mandal etc.

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