Conservation of two freshwater turtle species in the Guru Gorakhnath Community Reserve in Western Haryana, India

Abstract

The active involvement of local communities in conservation efforts is pivotal in ensuring the long-term protection and preservation of our natural environment. In the village of Kajalheri, located in Fatehabad district, the environmentally conscious Bishnoi community has been engaged in the conservation of the Indian soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) population in the village pond for nearly a century. As a testament to their efforts, the pond was officially designated as a community reserve in 2019 to safeguard these turtles. Previously, the Indian soft-shell turtle was the sole known species inhabiting this small pond. However, our observations from 2021 to 2023 have revealed the presence of two additional turtle species, namely the Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) and the Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta). No study on freshwater turtles specific to the Haryana region has been carried out. Therefore, baseline data on the diversity and distribution of freshwater turtles is scanty in the state. This scientific inquiry provides valuable insights into effective habitat management strategies and instils hope for identifying similar sites within the forest-deficient state of Haryana.