Font size:
Print
Species in News: Asian Giant Tortoise
Largest Asian tortoise species reintroduced into Nagaland community reserve
Context: On August 2, 2025, ten Asian giant tortoises—the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia were reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Peren district, Nagaland.
More on News
- The initiative is led by the Nagaland Forest Department and India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP).
- Local tribal youths have been trained as “Tortoise Guardians” to monitor and protect the species.
About
- Scientific name: Manouria emys
- Also known as: “Small elephants of the forest”
- Functions: Seed dispersal (promotes forest regeneration), and Scavenging (cleans forest floor).
- Conservation Status:
-
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- CITES: Appendix II
- Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Habitat & Distribution: Found in tropical and subtropical hill forests. Native to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia
- In India, sightings are rare and mostly confined to the Northeastern region, especially Nagaland.
- Threats: Poaching for consumption, Habitat loss due to jhum (slash-and-burn agriculture). Low wild population: An estimated fewer than 500 adult individuals remain.
- Conservation Measures:
-
- Captive breeding at Nagaland Zoological Park, which hosts India’s largest captive population of the species.
- Use of VHF telemetry tags to track movement and survival post-release.
- Community involvement: Awareness campaigns and training of local youth as parabiologists.
