Largest Asian tortoise species reintroduced into Nagaland community reserve
Asian Giant Tortoise Reintroduced in Nagaland
Location: Zeliang Community Reserve, Peren District, Nagaland
Species: Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys – largest tortoise in mainland Asia)
Status: Critically EndangeredKey Details:
- Reintroduction: 10 tortoises released from Nagaland Zoological Park (Chümoukedima, Rangapahar)
- Origin: Born in 2019 through conservation breeding program; part of India’s largest captive population
- Project Lead: Nagaland Forest Department & India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP)
- Community Involvement: Local youths engaged as “tortoise guardians” to protect animals and assist in data collection
- Ecological Role: Seed dispersal, forest regeneration, scavenging to keep forest floor clean
Conservation Measures:
- Site Selection: Habitat suitability study conducted across Nagaland
- Soft-release Enclosure: Allows tortoises to develop site fidelity before full release
- Monitoring: VHF-based telemetry tagging for studying dispersal and survival
- Health Protocols: Six-month quarantine and comprehensive health checks prior to release
Significance:
- Species nearly wiped out in Nagaland over a decade ago
- Project aims to restore wild populations and engage communities in long-term conservation
Updated - August 04, 2025 07:35 pm | The Hindu