Guwahati, May 24: The World Turtle Day celebrated on May 23 brought a unique blend of cultural reverence and conservation action to life at the historic Nagshankar Temple in Biswanath, Assam.
In a state where turtles have long been venerated in temple ponds as earthly reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, the event served as a powerful reminder of Assam’s deep-rooted ecological traditions.
The awareness programme, organised by Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), Assam State Zoo, Nagshankar Temple Committee, TSA Foundation India, Aaranyak, Help Earth, and DBT-NER Biotech Hub of Chaiduar College, attracted a vibrant cross-section of society—from schoolchildren to forest officials.
Padma Hazarika, MLA of Naduar Constituency, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and commended the temple’s grassroots conservation efforts. He hailed Nagshankar Temple as a “Model Temple” for turtle conservation in Assam. Special addresses from guests underscored the ecological importance of freshwater turtles, while cultural performances—including a soulful Borgeet and a spiritually uplifting Naam—wove conservation messaging into traditional art forms.
A highlight of the day was the release of a freshwater turtle identification brochure, a resource aimed at empowering communities with knowledge. The contributions of ‘Kaso Mitras’—community turtle guardians—were formally recognised, reinforcing the pivotal role locals play in species protection.
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, delivered an insightful keynote. “Turtles are the vultures of aquatic ecosystems,” she said. “They help purify water bodies by scavenging on decomposed matter. Their protection is essential for healthy freshwater ecosystems”
The event also celebrated the efforts of Mrs Anjali Das, President of Kaso Sakhi—a grassroots women’s weaving collective supported by TSA Foundation India. The group is gaining attention for integrating turtle motifs into traditional handloom products, blending livelihood empowerment with conservation outreach.
Under the stewardship of the Assam Forest Department, the event united government officials, conservationists, students, and temple custodians in a shared vision—to conserve Assam’s unique turtle biodiversity and cultural heritage.
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