In a major conservation initiative, 240 hatchlings of the Black Softshell Turtle (BST), locally known as Bormuria Kaso (Nilssonia nigricans), were released into a protected waterbody under the Biswanath Wildlife Division. Once declared ‘Extinct in the Wild’ in the early 2000s, the species is now listed as Critically Endangered.
Nagshankar Temple plays a key role in the conservation programme. During March–April, eggs collected from its pond premises are shifted to Biswanath Ghat for artificial incubation. These turtles, often called ‘water vultures’, help maintain aquatic ecosystem health by scavenging organic matter.
APSC Relevance: Turtle Conservation, Aquatic Ecosystems
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