AGARTALA, August 22 (TIWN): In view of the extinction of rare turtles in Tripura, the state forest department has drawn a plan for captive breeding of the soft-shell N nigrican turtles, said official. The turtles are found only in the water body of Tripura Tripureswari Temple at Udaipur. The drive is expected to act as a safety net for the turtle conservation in the state’s wild life sanctuary.However, if the plan being drawn kicks off successfully then the breed turtles can be released in the temple at Udaipur under Gomati Tripura District, the official said.Asked about the availability of turtles in the state, the official said that the number of turtles present in the water body at present, is sufficient to go for captive breeding and once it is being done the state on yet another momentum would receive vast number of rare turtles found only in the state’s wild life sanctuary.He also said that the state forest department is also planning in this view to get a breeding centre and develop hatchery at Sepahijala sanctuary as per specific plan under the supervision of biologist.It is to be mentioned here that getting a legal push from the High Court very recently this year the department is currently working at Udaipur Temple’s water body in its eastern bank to get a proper hatchery ground to pave the way for rearing and breeding of turtles which are already in verge of extinction.The authority is currently actively engaged to the work.

Pucca embankment measuring 110 meters on the lake’s eastern side would be dismantled which are made of cement.Of late a matured turtle along with more than 20 eggs were found during the demolishing of the cemented embankments in the eastern side of the lake and later it was shifted to Sepahijala wild life sanctuary for conservation.   

In 2014, the expert committee constituted by the state government had recommended to demolish the cemented embankment and to facilitate a natural breeding ground for the water bodies. They also recommended steps to improve Lake environment, shifting of some fish from the lake and sufficient supply of food for the turtles and big fishes, besides restriction on human activities disturbing the aquatic life.

However, after several persuasions from the environmentalists, the administration managed to demolish a small portion of the cemented bank and created a conducive environment for turtles breeding.

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.