A Historic Temple Turns Modern Guardian for Turtles
Nagshankar Temple in Assam now becomes a Sacred Sanctuary for Turtle Conservation: In the heart of Biswanath district in northeastern Assam, the Nagshankar Temple has emerged as a modern symbol of turtle conservation. On May 23, 2025, this temple was officially recognised as a model temple for turtle conservation during the World Turtle Day celebrations. This moment marked a blend of religious reverence and scientific conservation—a rare and impactful combination.
The initiative was supported by Kaziranga National Park, Assam State Zoo, and conservation groups like Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) Foundation India, Aaranyak, and Help Earth, making it a collective celebration of wildlife protection.
Cultural Beliefs Meet Conservation Action
In Assamese tradition, turtles are seen as sacred beings, believed to be forms of Lord Vishnu. As a result, many temple ponds in Assam have naturally become safe havens for these creatures. Among them, Nagshankar Temple stands out for its active efforts in turning faith into a force for environmental change.
During the event, songs celebrating turtles were sung, and a brochure was released to help people identify local freshwater turtle species. MLA Padma Hazarika praised the temple’s contribution, recognising its importance in both spiritual and ecological realms.
The ‘Kaso Mitras’ of Assam and Their Community Role
A highlight of the initiative was the felicitation of “Kaso Mitras”, or turtle friends, who are local community members volunteering to protect turtles in their natural and sacred habitats. Anjali Das, head of a women-led weavers group called Kaso Sakhi, emphasized that turtles help clean ponds and rivers by consuming decaying matter. Her team also weaves handloom items with turtle motifs to spread awareness.
A Home to Rare and Endangered Species
The Nagshankar Temple pond is now home to 13 different species of freshwater turtles, several of which are on the IUCN Red List. These include critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and even least concern species.
Turtle Species Conserved at Nagshankar Temple
| Turtle Species | IUCN Status |
| Black Softshell Turtle | Critically Endangered |
| Assam Roofed Turtle | Critically Endangered |
| Indian Softshell Turtle | Endangered |
| Peacock Softshell Turtle | Endangered |
| Indian Narrow-Headed Softshell Turtle | Endangered |
| Spotted Pond Turtle | Endangered |
| Tricarinate Hill Turtle | Endangered |
| Indian Flapshell Turtle | Vulnerable |
| Indian Roofed Turtle | Vulnerable |
| Brown Roofed Turtle | Near Threatened |
| Assam Leaf Turtle | Near Threatened |
| Indian Tent Turtle | Least Concern |
| Indian Black Turtle | Least Concern |
These classifications come from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), providing a clear picture of how critical this initiative is.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
| Topic | Details |
| Location of Temple | Biswanath district, Assam |
| Event Name | World Turtle Day (May 23, 2025) |
| Supporting Organisations | TSA Foundation India, Kaziranga NP, Aaranyak |
| Turtle Symbolism in Assam | Associated with Lord Vishnu |
| Key Individual | MLA Padma Hazarika |
| Community Initiative | Kaso Mitras & Kaso Sakhi |
| Notable Turtle Species | Black Softshell, Assam Roofed Turtle |
| IUCN Red List Usage | For turtle species classification |
