Devotion Begets Conservation: How Religious Beliefs Saved a Turtle Species from Extinction

Many think of turtles as sweet creatures who take their own time reaching somewhere and look at you endearingly when you try to feed or pet them. But these are some of the many reasons certain turtle species are nearing extinction. One such species, the black softshell turtle, has been, thankfully, receiving special treatment at the temples of Assam and Bengal, which has successfully prevented them from going extinct.

Black Softshell Turtle, Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Himalayan Terai region in India is home to a significant amount of wildlife, owing to its vast water bodies and open spaces. Human settlements in these regions also depend on these water bodies formed by the multitude of rivers and ponds.

Surrounding the areas of some of these varied-sized water bodies, kings and emperors of olden times built magnificent temples, many of which are situated in the states of Assam and West Bengal. The ponds of some of these temples are home to an endangered species of turtle — black softshell turtle. With their pouty mouths and smooth, black shells, these turtles are adored by the local people, a love that would hopefully help in saving them from the dark fate of extinction.

Baneswar Temple in Coochbehar, Source: Wikimedia Commons

One such temple in the region is the Baneswar temple, which was built in the 16th century in the Coochbehar district of West Bengal. The temple compound houses several ponds, where devotees donate turtles as a symbol of long life for their children.

Worshippers consider these turtles as representatives of Lord Vishnu and respectfully call them “Mohan,” which is another name for Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology. These “mohans” are none other than the black softshell turtles that were, until recently, thought to be extinct in the wild.

Similar turtles are seen in many temple ponds across Assam, the most populated ones being in the compound of Nagshankar temple. Temple priests and worshippers regularly feed them, pet them, and offer them prasad.

A turtle crossing a road, Source: Wikimedia Commons

But life is not easy for these amphibious reptiles. A key reason they were considered to be extinct in the wild is that even though they live in sufficient numbers within temple ponds, their survival rate is low. The banks of the temple ponds are often not well-equipped for turtles to lay their eggs. Even if they do lay them, concrete, debris, and litter often end up destroying many of these eggs.

Additionally, during mating seasons, not all turtles may find suitable partners in the pond where they live. Sometimes they venture out in search of a mate and end up on the highway. These highway trips often become fatal to these softshell adventurers. Many times, younglings go astray looking for their parents or food or both and end up smashed under speeding vehicles.

Turtle eggs, Source: Wikimedia Commons

Accidental deaths and the decline in the reproduction of these turtles are not taken kindly by either the local people or the passionate wildlife enthusiasts. Because devotees have so much respect for these turtles, they have, in the past, protested the building of concrete slabs and stairs around the temple ponds. Although some of the temple authorities resisted at first, they eventually gave in to the protests. Instead of concrete, most of the pond banks are now filled with sand and silt where the turtles can lay their eggs and also stay protected from extreme heat.

Environmentalists have taken further steps to save this endangered species. Groups of wildlife conservationists consistently take it upon themselves to safely incubate these eggs, monitor the hatchlings, and release some of them into the wild. By doing so, they intend to increase the population of the species beyond the vicinity of the temples.

Devotees feeding a turtle, Source: Wikimedia Commons

Even though attempts are being made to increase the wild population of these softshell turtles, most environmentalists feel that presently, the temple ponds may still be the safest spaces to protect this species. This is because the risks of both predators and poaching are high in the wild. Within the temple premises, the turtles can be better cared for, provided the temple authorities make enough basking space available to these creatures and feed them with a diet that is apt for them. Although devotees respect these turtles, they often do not realise that feeding them bread and biscuits may not be the right thing to do.

Also, highways need to be equipped with more signs about slow driving around the temple areas. More awareness and continued compassion, not just among the locals but from visitors too, can truly save the “mohans” from going extinct.