Asia’s Largest Tortoise Species Returns to Nagaland Reserve

Rapid Summary:

• ten critically endangered Asian giant tortoises were released at Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland’s Peren district by the Nagaland Forest Department and India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP) on August 2.
• the tortoises were bred in captivity at Nagaland Zoological Park, which houses India’s largest captive population of this species.
• They underwent six months of quarantine,health checks,and were introduced into a soft-release enclosure to build site fidelity before dispersal.
• Asian giant tortoises contribute to forest regeneration by seed dispersal and scavenging activities.
• Local community youths have been engaged as ‘tortoise guardians’ for protection and data collection. Other community members are involved in various roles.
• Released individuals are tagged with VHF telemetry systems for tracking survival and dispersal. A successful pilot may lead to further releases in this area.
• Habitat suitability was assessed across Nagaland before selecting the release site due to its efficient forest preservation efforts under joint leadership between communities and the Forest Department.
• This conservation effort stems from a long-term project initiated in 2018 using donated pet tortoises.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The reintroduction of Asian giant tortoises is a notable step toward biodiversity restoration in India. As species nearly extinct from Nagaland over a decade ago, their return signifies progress made through dedicated conservation efforts like ITCP’s programme begun in 2018. Engaging local communities as ‘tortoise guardians’ highlights how grassroots involvement is vital for sustainable wildlife management while preserving indigenous practices.

The use of advanced monitoring systems like VHF telemetry adds scientific rigor, ensuring insight into post-release adaptability crucial for scaling up such initiatives. Community reserves emerging as effective habitats underscore their broader role beyond national parks or sanctuaries. Though, continued commitment from all stakeholders-both government entities and locals-will be critical for protecting such ecologically valuable species long term.

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