In a major step towards wildlife conservation, the Tripura government has sanctioned a year-long scientific study on the rare Bostami turtles inhabiting the sacred Kalyan Sagar Lake, nestled beside the revered Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Gomati district.

The initiative will be undertaken by the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation, a global conservation organisation focused on preserving endangered turtle species. 

The study aims to assess and document the population and ecological dynamics of the Bostami turtles—classified as “Extinct in the Wild” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Located about 55 km from the state capital Agartala, the Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 Hindu Shaktipeethas and is perched atop a hillock shaped like the back of a turtle—lending deep spiritual and ecological significance to the site. 

Kalyan Sagar Lake, which lies at the temple’s foothill, is home to a surviving population of the Bostami turtle, drawing the attention of conservationists across the country.

Gomati District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma confirmed that the study is a collaborative effort between the Forest Department and the district administration. 

“Preservation of the Bostami turtles is one of our top priorities. A comprehensive survey will be conducted to determine the current population of the species, especially during the monsoon season when hatching occurs,” he said.

He noted that while hatchlings are regularly monitored and released back into the lake, there has been a lack of updated scientific data in recent years. “This one-year study will help fill that gap,” he added.

A preliminary field visit has already been conducted in preparation for the study, which is expected to begin shortly. “The state government has already allocated the necessary funds for this conservation initiative,” Chakma informed.

With this move, Tripura joins the global call for the protection of critically endangered species, blending ecological responsibility with the rich cultural heritage of the region.