4 July 2025
At an ancient Assam temple, centuries of community conservation have not just sustained 13 species of freshwater turtles but also helped them return to wild habitats.
Tucked away in Assam’s Biswanath district, the Nagshankar Temple complex is officially recognised as a model temple for turtle conservation—a rare blend of ecology and faith.
Its temple pond is home to 13 freshwater turtle species, some critically endangered. Among them: the black softshell turtle, once thought to be extinct in the wild.
This pond is no zoo. There are no fences, no ticket counters. The guardians here? Locals known as Kaso Mitras, or friends of turtles, protect these reptiles with quiet vigilance.
These Kaso Mitras work with the temple authorities to ensure the survival of the species, from providing a carefully planned diet to building artificial sand/nesting banks for the turtles to bask and nest.
The temple pond turtle populations are also aiding a wild recovery effort, with eggs collected from the pond helping conservationists return over 600 black softshell turtles to the Brahmaputra River.
Why does this matter? Because these turtles -- termed 'aquatic vultures' for their critical scavenging role -- had been pushed to the brink of extinction by over-hunting.
Women’s SHGs -- Kaso Sakhis -- also weave handloom products with turtle motifs, blending tradition with awareness. “Turtles help keep our waters clean. That’s why saving them matters,” said their president..
This is conservation at the grassroots. And it works. With many more temples set to follow its model, Nagshankar is a powerful example not just for Assam, but all of India.