
The Population of Critically Endangered Northern river terrapin (Batagur Baska) is increasing in the Rivers of the Sundarbans.
The number of critically endangered freshwater turtles, Batagur Baska (Northern river terrapin), is gradually increasing in the rivers of the Sundarbans thanks to various conservation efforts. The forest department has been working to conserve this rare species under the Bangladesh Forest Department’s Turtle Breeding Program in collaboration with the IUCN and Vienna Zoo.
The Batagur Baska is currently one of the three rarest turtle species in the world. The rivers of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and northeast India were home to these animals in the previous century.
However, when the overfishing and egg harvesting went unchecked, this river terrapin came to the verge of extinction. Although the populations of turtles stayed relatively constant as long as they were caught and eaten primarily to assist in meeting the fundamental needs of the local population.
All of that changed when hunting became more industrialized and vast quantities of animals were exported to China for profit.
In 2010, only 20 individuals were reported worldwide.
However, the scenario drastically changed when three Batagur Baska turtles laid a total of 82 eggs on February 15 at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre under the East Sundarbans Forest Division. Among them, a total of 65 hatchlings were born.
According to the Sundarbans East Forest Division, the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center has successfully bred this species since 2017. In total, 52 turtles have been released into the wild so far. The rest are being raised in a semi-natural environment for future release.
Forest Officer Md. Belayet Hossain stated that, “Batagur Baska turtles, which are listed as critically endangered globally, were once found abundantly in the Sundarbans. However, due to river pollution, poaching, and destruction of nesting sites, their numbers have sharply declined. Conservation efforts have now made it possible to restore their population.”
The Sundarbans Forest Department believes this initiative will help establish a stable and sustainable population of Northern river terrapin in the wild once again.
Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU