Reported by Sandeep Sharma
Guwahati: India’s first satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle was released in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Endangered Species Day.
Announcing the development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the initiative marked a proud moment for the state and the country’s conservation efforts.
Taking to X, the Chief Minister wrote, “A first for India at Kaziranga! Marking #EndangeredSpeciesDay, the country’s 1st satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle was released in Kaziranga, a major step for wildlife conservation. A proud moment for Assam as we continue to protect every species that calls our forests home.”
Assam is considered one of the world’s priority regions for freshwater turtle conservation and is home to 21 species of turtles, making it one of Asia’s richest turtle habitats. Of the eight softshell turtle species found in India, five are reported from Kaziranga alone.
The Ganges softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, is identified by a distinct arrowhead-shaped marking on the top of its head.
The species is found across large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in India. Despite its wide distribution, it is categorised as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Wildlife experts say the species plays a crucial ecological role in river systems by feeding on dead and decaying animal matter, thereby helping maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems.
“Understanding seasonal movement patterns, home range, and identifying critical habitats like nesting and breeding sites will help in active management of softshell turtles in the Brahmaputra river basin,” said Abhijit Das, Senior Scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India.
The satellite-tagging exercise was carried out under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change programme by a team led by Das in collaboration with Kaziranga National Park authorities and the Assam Forest Department. The initiative received financial support from the National Geographic Society.
According to officials, a healthy adult turtle was captured and fitted with a satellite transmitter under veterinary supervision before being released back into its natural habitat along the north bank of the Brahmaputra. Wildlife researchers and forest officials closely monitored the process.
The initiative is expected to help researchers identify critical habitats and better understand the movement and behaviour of the endangered species in the riverine landscape of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.