Nagshankar Temple Model for Turtle Conservation
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: ETV
Context: On World Turtle Day, Nagshankar Temple in Assam was officially declared a model temple for turtle conservation.
About Nagshankar Temple Model for Turtle Conservation:
• Location: Situated in Biswanath district, near Sootea town, approximately 70 km from Tezpur, Assam.
• Historical Background:
• Believed to be built in the 4th century AD by King Nagashankar of Nagakha dynasty. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, but also honours turtles as incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
• Believed to be built in the 4th century AD by King Nagashankar of Nagakha dynasty.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva, but also honours turtles as incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
• Key Features:
• Houses a large pond home to 250–300 turtles, including critically endangered black softshell turtles. Also, home to peacocks, pythons, deer, making it a micro-wildlife sanctuary. The temple serves both religious and ecological purposes.
• Houses a large pond home to 250–300 turtles, including critically endangered black softshell turtles.
• Also, home to peacocks, pythons, deer, making it a micro-wildlife sanctuary.
• The temple serves both religious and ecological purposes.
• Turtle Conservation Efforts:
• Biodiversity Preservation: Pond supports three rare species: Black Softshell, Indian Softshell, and Malayan Softshell turtles. The pond is fed by the Brahmaputra River basin, offering a suitable habitat. Community-Led Protection: Nagshankar Temple Committee works with Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India, Help Earth, and Kaziranga National Park. Scientific Intervention: Forest department artificially incubates turtle eggs and releases hatchlings into the wild. Replication Across Assam: Around 25 temples across Assam now serve as turtle conservation hubs, including Hajo’s Hayagriva Madhav Temple.
• Biodiversity Preservation: Pond supports three rare species: Black Softshell, Indian Softshell, and Malayan Softshell turtles. The pond is fed by the Brahmaputra River basin, offering a suitable habitat.
• Pond supports three rare species: Black Softshell, Indian Softshell, and Malayan Softshell turtles.
• The pond is fed by the Brahmaputra River basin, offering a suitable habitat.
• Community-Led Protection: Nagshankar Temple Committee works with Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India, Help Earth, and Kaziranga National Park.
• Scientific Intervention: Forest department artificially incubates turtle eggs and releases hatchlings into the wild.
• Replication Across Assam: Around 25 temples across Assam now serve as turtle conservation hubs, including Hajo’s Hayagriva Madhav Temple.