Etawah (India CSR): Leading menswear brand Turtle Limited (Ltd.) in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), released hundreds of hatchlings of the critically endangered Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) and the Three-striped roofed turtle (Batagur dhongoka) in the lower Chambal river area on Sunday, to commemorate World Turtle Day, celebrated all over the world on May 23. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed on the occasion between Turtle Ltd and TSA, an international conservation organization, to save fresh water turtles from becoming extinct.
The fresh water turtle population in India and across the globe has been diminishing at an alarming rate, prompting the Kolkata based apparel brand to participate in the Turtle conservation project at Chambal in Etawah and take it up as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility endeavour. On behalf of Turtle Ltd. Ms. Narinder Kauur – Head Marketing and on behalf of TSA, Dr. Shailendra Singh, the frontrunner of turtle conservation in the country, were present during signing of the MOU.
Turtle Ltd. has its presence in more than 150 Exclusive Brand outlets pan India and presence in Large Format Stores.
“We are committed to the cause of sustainability to people, planet and society and as a part of this commitment framework Turtle Ltd. has collaborated with the expertise of TSA, to engage and contribute in activities and projects related to turtle conservation and also the preservation of the surrounding flora & fauna. We as representatives of Brand Turtle Ltd. thus see this as an opportunity for us to give it back to the society and environment,” said Mr. Rupam Deb, Brand Manager – Turtle Ltd on the occasion of the release of the hatchlings of the rare species.
Also present was Dr. Saurabh Dewan, Development Researcher, TSA, who said, “Chambal conservation project, initiated in 2006, jointly with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is one of the flagship projects that is focused on two of the most threatened fresh-water turtles of the country – Red-crowned roofed turtle and the Three-striped roofed turtle, protecting around three hundred nests of the two species around Chambal every year.”
Dr. Arunima Singh, Project Officer, TSA India added, “These nests are guarded in 24*7 manned river-side hatcheries and the hatchlings are immediately released at the natal sites from where the nests are recorded, in a measure to minimize depredation of eggs and long term population supplementation.”
The TSA India program is managed by Indian conservation biologists, scientists & researchers & seeks local solutions to saving turtles. TSA is carrying out conservation of turtles in five places across India – West Bengal, Terai Region and Chambal regions in Uttar Pradesh, North-east India & South India.
(India CSR)
