Agartala, Dec 8 (TIWN): A 13-member committee to implement the recommendations for effective conservation and development of turtles and fishes of Kalyan Sagar, Matabari at Udaipur was constituted recently. The committee will sit at least once in two months and will review the progress of implementation of the recommendations along with activities assigned to concerned departments and will submit the status report accordingly to the appropriate authority, said a source.

According to a circular, Vide No- F.8 (9)/ DSTE/ ENV/ Pt-V/ 8016-38, dated: 02-12-2014 from Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the committee should remain vigilant against illegal activities and polluting water body of Kalyan Sagar Lake and take necessary action as demand fit. The committee can co-opt any other officer if feel necessary.

The District Magistrate and Collector, Gomati district was chosen as the chairman of the committee while the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Gomati was chosen as convenor of the committee. The other members of the committee are- Superintendent of Police (SP), Gomati, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Gomati, Chief Executive Officer of Udaipur Municipal Council, Prof. Jyoti Prakash Roy Chowdhury, Scientist ‘C’ of TSPCB- Dr. Mihir Kumar Das, Dr. Ratan kumar Saha of Lembucherra Fishery College, the Superintendent Engineer (PWD), Udaipur, BDO of Matabari RD Block, Deputy Director of Fishery Department, Udaipur, Scientific Officer of DSTE, Udaipur and representative of Vetenary College, RK Nagar, West Tripura.

Kalyan Sagar is located on the eastern side of the Mata Tripuraswari Temple which is 3 km. away towards south from Udaipur town, Tripura. A big lake Kalyan Sagar just down to the Hillock at the backside of the Temple adds to its beauty. This natural pond has varieties of aqua species. The area of the Kalyan Sagar Lake is 2.752 acre. The lake is considered sacred and devotees worship the fishes and tortoises present here. Kalyan Sagar is famous for very rare species of tortoise in large numbers. 

It is to be mentioned here; earlier the people had witnessed deaths of huge turtles and fishes in Kalyan Sagar. In order to save the rare species N-Nigricans turtles and fishes, an expert team had earlier suggested the administration to break the cemented embankments surrounding Kalyan Sagar to provide them seemingly required environment.