Agartala, May 23, 2025: Tripura witnessed a historic moment on Friday as World Turtle Day was observed for the first time at Dhanya Manikya Mukta Mancha, situated beside the sacred Kalyan Sagar lake at Matabari in Udaipur under the Gomati District of Tripura.
The vibrant event, marked by enthusiastic participation, underscored the state’s commitment to preserving its unique biodiversity and promoting environmental stewardship.
The ceremony was attended by State Finance, Planning & IT Minister, also the local MLA Pranajit Singha Roy, who inaugurated the event alongside State Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, Matabari MLA Abhishek Debroy, Kakraban Shalgara MLA Jitendra Majumdar, and other distinguished guests.
In a symbolic gesture, the ministers released baby turtles into Kalyan Sagar, reinforcing their dedication to safeguarding the region’s aquatic ecosystem.
Minister Pranajit Singha Roy emphasized the critical need to protect all species, highlighting that biodiversity is the cornerstone of ecological balance.
He called for heightened public awareness to conserve Kalyan Sagar’s turtles and fish, urging the District Magistrate to implement measures to ensure the well-being of the lake’s turtle population.
বিশ্ব কচ্ছপ দিবস উপলক্ষে উদয়পুর মাতাবাড়ি সংলগ্ন ধন্য মানিক্য মুক্তমঞ্চে আয়োজিত বিশেষ অনুষ্ঠানে অংশগ্রহণ করি। অনুষ্ঠানে রাজ্যের বনমন্ত্রী শ্রী অনিমেশ দেববর্মা, জেলা সভাধিপতি শ্রী দেবল দেবরায়, বিধায়ক শ্রী জিতেন্দ্র মজুমদার ও শ্রী অভিষেক দেবরায়ও উপস্থিত ছিলাম। pic.twitter.com/0yucBfHNtB
— Pranajit Singha Roy (@Pranajitsinghar) May 23, 2025
A key highlight was the appointment of ten local youths as ‘Turtle Ambassadors.’ These volunteers will spearhead efforts to raise awareness and protect the region’s rare Bostami turtles, a species integral to Tripura’s natural heritage.
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma stressed collective responsibility, asserting that turtles have a fundamental right to thrive in their natural habitat.
Meanwhile, MLA Abhishek Debroy highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the turtle population, particularly their connection to the revered Tripura Sundari Temple.
Gomati District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma lauded the state government and Finance Minister for their focus on Matabari’s development.
He noted that Kalyan Sagar is home to five turtle species, including two exclusive to the Matabari region and one found in only one other country, underscoring the urgent need for their conservation.
The event concluded with dignitaries planting saplings on the temple grounds as a pledge toward sustainable conservation, followed by paying homage to Mata Tripura Sundari.
Tripura’s first-ever World Turtle Day celebration signals a pivotal moment in the state’s environmental journey, showcasing its resolve to protect Kalyan Sagar’s rich biodiversity and champion sustainable conservation efforts for future generations.
World Turtle Day: Raising Awareness
World Turtle Day, first observed in the year 2000, is commemorated globally on May 23 each year.
World Turtle Day serves as a global platform to shed light on the hardships faced by turtles and tortoises. It encourages public engagement, spreading awareness about the risks these ancient reptiles endure and promoting initiatives to conserve them.
Having existed for over 200 million years, turtles now face critical threats primarily due to human interference.
This day champions education, activism, and tangible conservation actions to ensure the survival of these extraordinary species and the protection of their habitats.
Interesting facts about turtles:
According to worldanimalprotection.org, while all tortoises fall under the broader category of turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. Tortoises are a type of turtle that live exclusively on land, unlike other turtle species that inhabit oceans and freshwater bodies.
Turtles are remarkable navigators, using the Earth’s magnetic field to guide them back to the very shores where they were born to lay their own eggs.
As they move between coastal feeding areas and nesting beaches, turtles help enrich the environment by transporting essential nutrients, supporting the health and vitality of these ecosystems.
A turtle’s shell is an intricate structure formed by the fusion of around 50 bones. However, their appeal as decorative items and ornaments has endangered their survival since the 1700s.
Turtles are known for their social nature and tendency to travel in large groups across expansive oceanic distances—traits that also make them unsuitable for domestication. (Source)
Among the greatest modern dangers turtles face are illegal trafficking, the exploitation of turtles in traditional medicines, and their unintentional capture in fishing operations (known as by-catch).
