Turtle Sanctuary
Government has approved setting up of a Turtle sanctuary in Allahabad along with a River Biodiversity Park at Sangam. The initiative is aimed to protect the rich aquatic biodiversity of river Ganga from escalating anthropogenic pressures. Sanctuary will be established under the oversight of the Namami Gange programme. The project will cost approximately Rs 1.34 crores. The project is 100% centrally funded.
This project will spread awareness about humans’ place in the ecosystem, their roles and responsibilities. It will also improve understanding of the complexity of co-existence with the environment and help generate awareness for reducing the impact of human activities on critical natural resources.
Rivers Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad are home to some of the most endangered fauna like turtles (Batagur kachuga, Batagur dhongoka, Nilssonia gangetica, Chitra indica, Hardella thurjii etc.), the National Aquatic Animal - Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and numerous migratory and resident birds.
