UDAIPUR / AGARTALA, Jan 10 (TIWN): At a time when the State is concerned about saving the flora and fauna of Kalyansagar of Tripura Sundari Temple at Udaipur under Gomati District, it is witnessed that, massive pollution in the kalyan sagar is posing serious threat to the survival of the rare Bostami turtle and the fish found in the lake. Dumping of waste materials in to the lake, washing of utensils, taking bath in the lake has left the lake with massive pollution. The authorities are not even bothered to clean the mess in the lake hampering the eco-system of the lake and the flora and fauna. It is mostly spoiling the endangered species of turtles found in the lake.When the full state is concerned about the extinction of rare Bostami turtles, including environmentalists and the government itself, the Udaipur authorities failed to maintain purity of water, and thus the inhabitants of lake is again in trouble. Unfortunately, Gomati District Administration is being headed by an arrogant District Magistrate Sonal Goel, who prefers threatening every TIWN journalist enquiring about the lapses of her administration, whether its sensitive passport scams or District’s massive increase in child rapes or lackluster attitude of administration in repairing roads or keeping Matabari clean . In history of Gomati District, Tripura's most prominent tourist spot Matabari's lake Kalyansagar was never neglected to such extent that most the Bostami turtles either died or facing extinction.

Kalyan Sagar Lake is left dirty, pollution has become a major threat for the of the lake’s rare N-Nigrican Bostami Turtles.  Even Tripura High Court asked Govt to take proper care of Kalyan Sagar Lake but Kalyan Sagar’s water further polluted due to continuous apathy of authority.

Wrappers of chips, paper bags, and plastics are scattered everywhere on the embankment making the environment stinky and irresistible. The accumulation of garbage has turned the water body into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Pathetic condition of Matabari Kalyansagar eco-system, plastic bags, garbage everywhere. TIWN Pic Jan 9

Apart from this the locals of the area takes bath in the lake which is another major issue to be noticed. The negligence of the authority is only hampering the beauty of the lake and also hampering the existence of the animals in the lake.

There are four types of turtles and people should pay concern to the species. As among them the Bostami turtle is one of the rare species. The most prominent temple of Tripura, the Tripura Sundari temple’s Lake Kalyan Sagar is famous all over India for the collection of its rare Bostami turtles and various kinds of fishes. But the extinctions of its tortoises have now become a matter of concern for the common masses of the state.

Plastics filled area for Bostami turtles in Kalyansagar lake. No turtle to be seen. TIWN Pic Jan 9

Tortoises were earlier found unable to breed their offspring for the artificial cemented embankments, although the cemented embankments has been bulldozes in order to save the rare species Bostami turtles, which are only found in the Kalyan Sagar of Tripureshwari Temple.

Though the east side of the cemented embankment has been bulldozed but the negligence of the authority towards keeping the water clean and dumping free zone is hampering the eco-system of the lake.

Alas !  DM Gomati or DFO Gomati has no time for poor bostami turtles or the miserable condition of Matabari pollution, rampant plastic dumpings.