Hastinapur Ganga conservation model to be extended up to Prayagraj

Meerut: Plans are afoot to replicate the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary model to conserve ecosystem of the river Ganga all along 1,200 km downstream up to Prayagraj in UP after some 3,000 turtles, many of them endangered, were released into the Ganga at the sanctuary over the past eight years.

The success is a result of a joint initiative by UP forest division and World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India).

According to the forest department, the River for Life Programme of WWF was launched in 2012. It envisaged Ganga as a healthy river system rich in biodiversity, providing long-term water security to communities and nature. Initially, it was a five-year programme. Later, it was extended.

Turtles, the natural scavengers of the river, play a vital role in the Ganga's eco-system.

Riverbed farmers were crucial to the sustenance of this programme. Over the years, they have become saviours of the turtles.

But it took time for expert teams to sensitise the riverbed farmers of Makhoompur area of Hastinapur about how important the endangered turtles are in preservation of the river.

The teams approached around 10 villages located on the river banks that encompass a stretch of 50 km.

These villagers informed the teams about 53 nests which had a total of 578 eggs in 2014.

These eggs were then placed in specially developed hatcheries on the riverbank and hatchlings transferred to the turtle pond at Hastinapur forest training centre. After four months, they were released back into Ganga.

Over a period of time, this community-driven programme has resulted in the release of over 3,000 turtles.

A majority of the turtles released belong to three species -- Three striped turtle Batagur Dhongoka, Brown Roofed Turtle ‘pangshura smithii’ and ‘pangshura tecta’ (Indian roofed turtle).

At present 350 Ganga mitras (villagers trained in conservation) are involved in the conservation and the same formula is set to be replicated all along the river up to Prayagraj as riverbed farming takes place till Prayagraj.

Speaking with TOI, chief conservator forest, Aligarh division, Aditi Sharma, said, "We have plans to extend conservation efforts beyond the sanctuary. Recently, a meeting had taken place in this regard in Kasganj also. Hastinapur sanctuary model of conservation has been very successful and the same strategy of involving riparian communities will be deployed there as well."


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