A sanctuary turned death trap: Turtles flee poisoned waters of Kajalheri
Rare turtles in a Haryana community reserve are suffering from pollution and habitat destruction caused by untreated sewage and neglect. Conservationists are calling for legal action against officials for failing to protect these endangered species.
Why it matters
It highlights the failure of environmental protection laws and the impact of urban pollution on endangered wildlife habitats.
For years, the pond at Kajalheri village in Haryana’s Fatehabad was a safe haven for hundreds of rare turtles. Today, the same waters are forcing them to flee for their lives.
The Shri Guru Gorakhnath Community Reserve, notified by the Haryana Government in 2019, is home to an estimated 150–200 Indian Softshell, Red-roofed and Indian Peacock turtles. But the sanctuary, where the reptiles once came to breed and lay eggs, has allegedly turned into a toxic habitat because of untreated sewage and neglect by the authorities.
The species found here enjoy the highest level of statutory protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, at par with the tiger and rhinoceros. They are also listed as threatened species under the IUCN Red List.
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