AGARTALA, Jan 9 (TIWN): Preservation of the Bostami turtle is the highest priority claimed DFO Dr. W. Bhutiya.

Talking to TIWN correspondent, DFO Dr. W. Bhutiya said that at present the turtles are kept in the most hygienic way for their smooth survival in the lake and the possible measures are taken round the clock for the preservation.

The preservation of the turtle is kept as the highest priority as this is one of the rarest species of turtle found in the Kalyan Sagar Lake and also holds a mythological emphasis said DFO Dr. W. Bhutiya.

With the complete bulldoze of the cemented embankment of the kalyan Sagar Lake the rare Bostami turtle are now being provided with the natural habitat for their breeding and preservation at the east bank of the river, said DFO Dr. W. Bhutiya.

The most prominent temple of Tripura, the Tripura Sundari temple’s Lake Kalyan Sagar is famous all over India for the collection of its rare Bostami turtles and various kinds of fishes.

Dr. Bhutiya further said various steps have been taken already to save the fishes and tortoises.

Reportedly, after the construction of cemented embankment in all the four sides of Kalyansagar natural habitat available for the tortoise was minimized drastically. In simple word the ecosystem had been destroyed due to the cemented wall of the lake. The normal reproduction of the turtle has been disturbed by the cemented wall. However, with bulldoze of the embankment the turtle are living a healthy life and with time breeding will also satisfactory result. 

It is to be mentioned here that, High Court of Tripura directed the state government to complete all works related to safeguarding of the Bostami turtle of the Kalayasagar Lake by 16 November and accordingly the bulldoze of the embankment work is completed.

A HC division bench led by Chief justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Subhasis Talapatra ordered the concerned department to take the immediate action for the preservation of the turtle and to complete all the protection work by November 16 and accordingly the work is completed.

Acting on the order of the High Court given on 22 June, Chief Secretary Yash pal Singh submitted the required affidavit to the court mentioning the several steps to be taken for the preservation of the bostami turtle of Udaipur Kalyansagar Lake.

However, bulldoze of the embankment is completed and now there are huge number of turtle and fish in the lake and the hygiene is well maintained for their survival.