Why in news ?

The Hayagriva Madhava Temple Committee in Assam has signed a MoU with Turtle Survival Alliance India, Help Earth, and Assam Forests Department to conserve the Black Softshell Turtle.

As part of the pact, a Vision Document 2030 was also released. The document aims to raise at least 1,000 black softshell turtles by 2030.

About Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans):

• Black Softshell Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle. It is found in India and Bangladesh.

Distribution:

• Brahmaputra’s drainage and Near Temple Ponds in Assam
• Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet)

• IUCN Status:Critically Endangered
• Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: It does not enjoy legal protection.

Significance:

• Temple Ponds in Assam conserve Turtles based on religious grounds.
• At the Bayazid Bostami shrine in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the black softshell turtle is known as mazari(inhabitant).

Threats:

• Hunted for turtle meat and cartilage in regional and international markets.