Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga)

The Ganga River, which has been an integral part of Indian civilization for centuries, is now igniting the possibility of new life along its banks.

• Once home to endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga), the Ganga’s shores have now become a symbol of positive change in the direction of biodiversity conservation.
• The Red-crowned roofed turtle is native to India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India and Bangladesh.
• It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin. Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only area with substantial population of the species.
• It is a freshwater turtle species, and found in deep flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites.
• Diet of the species consists exclusively of water plants. Adult females lay 11 to 30 eggs in March and April.
• Batagur kachuga is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN red list.

(Sources: PIB, WII)