Red-crowned roofed turtle reintroduced into the Ganga at Haiderpur Wetland
On 26 April 2025, 20 red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga) were moved from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre and released into the Haiderpur Wetland, Uttar Pradesh — the first attempt to reintroduce the species into the Ganga, with Namami Gange support.
Summary
On 26 April 2025, 20 red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga) were transferred from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre, under the supervision of the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, and released into the Haiderpur Wetland, according to a Jal Shakti Ministry release of 29 April 2025. It is the first attempt to reintroduce the species into the Ganga, where earlier studies had found no viable population. The turtles were released in two groups — above the Haiderpur barrage and downstream in the main channel — to compare 'soft' and 'hard' release strategies. The work was supported under the Namami Gange Mission with the TSAFI project team.
Key facts
- Date
- 26 April 2025
- Species
- Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga)
- Number
- 20
- From
- Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre (National Chambal Sanctuary, UP)
- To
- Haiderpur Wetland, Ganga
- Method
- Soft vs hard release, two groups
- Support
- Namami Gange Mission; TSAFI project
Practice MCQs 3 questions
From which centre were the 20 red-crowned roofed turtles transferred for release into the Haiderpur Wetland on 26 April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre
The turtles were transferred from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre, under the supervision of the National Chambal Sanctuary, UP.
Consider the following about the red-crowned roofed turtle release of 26 April 2025: 1. It is the first attempt at reintroducing this species into the Ganga. 2. All the turtles were released downstream in the main channel of the Ganga. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The turtles were released in two groups — one above the Haiderpur barrage and one downstream in the main channel.
How many red-crowned roofed turtles were released into the Haiderpur Wetland on 26 April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 20
On 26 April 2025, 20 turtles were transferred and released into the Haiderpur Wetland.