Agartala: The first phase of a scientific study on turtles inhabiting the Kalyan Sagar Lake near the revered Tripurasundari Temple in Gomati District of Tripura has been successfully completed. The study, conducted with the support of the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation (TSAF), aims to determine the exact population of turtles in the lake, understand their health condition, study their breeding patterns, and gather data on other scientific aspects of the species.
According to the Gomati District Magistrate, custom hoop traps were used to safely capture turtles, which were then tagged using toe clips — a standard method in turtle research. Each captured turtle was assessed for morphometry, weight, length, health status, and other biological parameters with the help of TSAF experts. The study has provided valuable insights into the turtle population in the lake.
The District Magistrate, Tarit Kanti Chakma, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Arunima Singh and Dr. Sushmita Kar of the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation for their technical expertise and collaboration in the conservation initiative. The second phase of the study will begin after the monsoon season, building on the data collected during the first phase.
Kalyan Sagar Lake, located beside the famed Tripura Sundari temple, is home to rare species of freshwater turtles and plays a significant ecological as well as religious role in the region. The study is a crucial step towards understanding and conserving the turtle population in the lake, and the findings are expected to inform conservation efforts in the region.
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