NEWS – Naga Youths Lead the Revival of Endangered Asian Giant Tortoises in Nagaland

HIGHLIGHTS

Background & Threats

• The Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys), Asia’s largest tortoise, is critically endangered.
• Major threats: Poaching for meat, habitat loss due to jhum cultivation, logging, forest fires, bamboo-cutting, and infrastructure development.
• Only ~500 adult wild individuals estimated in the entire Northeast region.

Conservation Initiative

• Nagaland Forest Dept & Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSA) launched a rewilding project in Peren district under the Indian Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP).
• 10 captive-bred tortoises released from Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP), which houses India’s largest captive population.
• Soft release method used to help tortoises adapt to natural habitats gradually.

 Role of Local Youth

• Naga youths, like Iteichube from the Zeliang tribe, trained as “Tortoise Guardians” and parabiologists.
• Duties: Patrolling, tracking using VHF telemetry, data collection, and community engagement.
• Aim: Community-led conservation and creating local stewardship.

Ecological Role

• Tortoises are essential for seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and scavenging, earning them the title “small elephants of the forest.”

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• CITES: Appendix II
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV

Habitat

• Evergreen and bamboo forests in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, etc.
• Indian range includes Nengpui and Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Long-Term Goals

• Restore wild populations through continued release.
• Foster site fidelity and sustainable cohabitation between species and communities.