Guwahati: In a significant step towards conserving the critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle (BST), locally known as Bormuria Kaso (Nilssonia nigricans), 240 hatchlings were released into a protected waterbody under the Biswanath Wildlife Division in Assam.

The release was carried out by the Wildlife Survival Alliance Foundation India (WSAFI) in collaboration with the Biswanath Wildlife Division, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and the Assam Forest Department as part of the decade-long initiative titled Conservation and Recovery of Black Softshell Turtle in Assam.

The species, which was declared ‘Extinct in the Wild’ in the early 2000s, has since recorded a stable population in the Brahmaputra-Kaziranga landscape through sustained conservation efforts. It is currently listed as ‘Critically Endangered’.

Nagshankar Temple plays key role in turtle conservation

Nagshankar Temple has emerged as an important centre for the conservation programme. During the nesting season in March and April, eggs are collected from the temple pond premises and transferred to Biswanath Ghat for artificial incubation under controlled conditions.

This process helps protect the eggs from predators, particularly mongooses, while improving hatching success.

The hatchlings emerge during July and August before being moved to a grow-out facility. There, they are reared for approximately three months and fed fresh small fish to improve their body weight before being released into natural habitats.

Since 2021, WSAFI, formerly known as TSA Foundation India, has released more than 1,000 Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings into natural habitats as part of its conservation efforts.

The latest release programme was attended by Naduar MLA Padma Hazarika, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Biswanath Wildlife Division, the Range Officer, Nagshankar Temple Committee secretary Rajib Barua, WSAFI Northeast project coordinator Upamanyu Chakraborty, Aditya Dey and Krishna Das.

Local livelihood initiative supports conservation

The guests were felicitated with handwoven gamosas featuring turtle motifs, produced by Kaso Sakhi, a local women’s alternative livelihood group supported through WSAFI’s livelihood initiative.

The initiative aims to provide alternative sources of income to local communities and reduce their dependence on river-based livelihoods.

Often referred to as ‘water vultures’, softshell turtles perform an important ecological function by scavenging and helping maintain the cleanliness and health of aquatic ecosystems.

The release of the 240 hatchlings marks another milestone in efforts to rebuild the Black Softshell Turtle population in Assam and strengthen the long-term survival of the species in its natural habitat.