🔆 Toxic Pond Threatens Rare Turtles in Haryana
📍 Why in News?
🟢 The pond at Kajalheri village, Fatehabad, within the Shri Guru Gorakhnath Community Reserve, has reportedly become polluted due to untreated sewage, threatening rare turtle populations.
📍 Key Facts
🟢 The reserve, notified in 2019, is home to an estimated 150–200 softshell, red-crowned roofed and Indian peacock turtles.
🟢 The turtles enjoy the highest statutory protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
🟢 Contaminated water is reportedly causing skin lesions, fungal infections and blindness among softshell turtles.
🟢 Turtles are moving towards nearby canals and agricultural fields in search of cleaner water, exposing them to vehicle-related mortality.
📍 Other Threats
🟢 Stray dogs dig up turtle nests and eat eggs.
🟢 Cattle entering the pond can trample nesting banks and eggs.
🟢 Lack of fencing further increases risks.
📍 Conservation Measures Proposed
🟢 Divert sewage away from the pond.
🟢 Erect protective fencing.
🟢 Create raised nesting mounds for safe egg-laying.
🟢 Create a separate pond to divert toxic wastewater.
📍 UPSC Mains Practice
Q. Wildlife conservation requires not only legal protection but also effective habitat management. Discuss with reference to threats faced by freshwater turtles in India.
(10 Marks | 150 Words)
#Environment
September 5, 2026 161 3
