A breeding centre in Sandbans, West Bengal state, released 10 northern soft-shelled turtles, one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, into the wild for the first time on Wednesday.

Forest officials say the 10 sea turtles (Batagur baska) have been fitted with GPS transmitters, allowing experts to track them and learn about their habitat and habitat.

S Jones Justin, deputy director of Sunderban Tiger Reserve, said: “We released 10 adult tigers in the wild on Wednesday, including seven females and three males, after fitting them with GPS transmitters.

Although the species was once widespread in mangroves and estuaries in West Bengal and Odisha, overfishing has led to its rapid decline. It is believed that only a handful of people may now be living in the wild in Sandbans, the world’s largest mangrove delta.

In 2009, protected area authorities and the Turtle Survival Alliance started a breeding program in Sajnekhali. Three years later, the program came to fruition, with the first hatching of about 33 larvae. As numbers began to grow, in 2017, the population in a single pond was spread across four ponds in the reserve. There were 12 adults and 370 juveniles in the ponds.

“They have been raised in the ponds for nine years. On Wednesday, 10 were released into the wild (in the river) after GPS transmitters were installed. The transmitters will help researchers track the turtles in the vast Sunderban mangrove forest, and generate data that helps their conservation plans,” a forest official said.

The Sunderban mangrove forest, formed by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, spans over 10,000 square kilometers across India and Bangladesh, 40% of which is located in India. Surrounded by rivers and streams, mangroves are home to many rare and globally threatened wildlife species, such as the Royal Bengal tiger and estuarine crocodile. In India, it is limited to the southern tip of West Bengal.

Recent reports say the world’s largest mangrove delta is losing its dense forest cover. Experts say rising salinity levels and an increasing number of hurricanes are taking their toll on mangrove systems. Mangroves are a green barrier against cyclones, protecting Kolkata from the direct impact of storms originating from the Bay of Bengal.

Complete News source : Hindustan Times