Turtle Survival Alliance - India signed a “long-term agreement” with four village committees under Baghty Division, Wokha for conservation and protection of endangered tortoises and turtles and their habitats.
Wokha, October 23 (MExN): Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) - India, an organization dedicated to the protection of tortoises and turtles signed a “long-term agreement” with four village committees under Baghty Division, Wokha for conservation and protection of endangered tortoises and turtles and their habitats.
The Administration, TSA India Program Lucknow in a press release said that the four villages are Baghty, Upper Baghty Makharong, and Soku, which are identified as one of the potential locations for turtle and tortoise conservation. The agreement was signed at Baghty Town Hall October 23.
Under a “long-term official partnership,” Nagaland Forest Department and TSA India have been attempting conservation breeding of Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys) at Nagaland Zoological Garden, Dimapur and as part of the next step, now potential locations are being evaluated and documented for future releases of resulted hatchlings.
Conservationists fear that a few hundred individuals of this species are surviving throughout its range in North-east India including the state.
The meeting was attended by 40 community members. A total of 55 indigenous plants were planted by local communities to mark the occasion. Information signage on the species and future participatory effort were also installed on the road leading to Baghty.
The programme was conducted under the guidance and supports from Divisional Forest Officer Wokha Suman SS and his staff.
