In a rare and heartening ecological event, the endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) has been spotted in the River Ganga after a disappearance of nearly 30 years. Wildlife experts and conservationists are hailing the return as a major breakthrough in the efforts to revive the Ganga’s fragile biodiversity.
The species, once native to the northern rivers of India, had not been seen in the wild in this region since the early 1990s due to habitat loss, pollution, and illegal poaching. Its sudden reappearance was recorded by a team of researchers from the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department during a routine biodiversity survey near the Ghats of Varanasi.
“This is nothing short of a miracle,” said Dr. Anil Chaturvedi, a leading herpetologist. “We feared this species had vanished from its natural habitat in the Ganga forever. Its return gives us hope.”
The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is known for its distinct bright red stripe on the top of the head in adult males, and for being one of the world’s rarest freshwater turtles. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Conservationists believe that sustained efforts such as the Namami Gange mission, pollution control, and increased awareness may have contributed to the turtle’s unexpected comeback. However, they warn that this rediscovery must be followed by stringent protection measures.
“This is not the end, but the beginning,” said Meera Srivastava of Ganga Watch. “We now have proof that nature heals — but only if we allow it to.”
Plans are now underway to monitor the area more closely, protect nesting zones, and possibly establish a new conservation program for the species’ long-term survival in the wild.
