Guwahati, May 15 : India has achieved a landmark in wildlife conservation with the country’s first-ever satellite tagging of the endangered Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam. The initiative was announced on Endangered Species Day, underscoring the nation’s commitment to protecting vulnerable species.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the achievement as a proud moment for the state, noting that Kaziranga continues to lead India’s conservation efforts. “A first for India at Kaziranga! The country’s first satellite-tagged Ganges Softshell Turtle was released, a major step for wildlife conservation,” Sarma wrote on social media.

KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh highlighted Assam’s extraordinary turtle diversity, with 21 species found in the state, making it one of Asia’s richest turtle habitats. Of the eight softshell turtle species reported in India, five are found in Kaziranga alone. She explained that the Ganges Softshell Turtle, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, plays a vital ecological role by feeding on decaying matter and maintaining river health.

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Senior Scientist Dr. Abhijit Das of the Wildlife Institute of India said the satellite-tagging initiative will provide crucial insights into the species’ seasonal movement patterns, home range, and critical nesting habitats. This knowledge will aid in active management and conservation strategies across the Brahmaputra river basin.

The exercise was carried out under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, led by Dr. Das in collaboration with Kaziranga authorities and the Assam Forest Department, with financial support from the National Geographic Society. A healthy adult turtle was fitted with a satellite transmitter under veterinary supervision before being released along the north bank of the Brahmaputra River.

Officials said the initiative will significantly strengthen efforts to identify and protect critical habitats for endangered species within Kaziranga’s fragile riverine ecosystem. Recognised as India’s seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is globally renowned for its biodiversity, now adding another milestone to its conservation legacy.