Turtle Sanctuary, Allahabad

Turtle Sanctuary, Allahabad:

• Turtle sanctuary in Allahabad along with a River Biodiversity Park at Sangam have been approved on 4th October 2017 under Namami Gange programme in order to protect the rich aquatic biodiversity of river Ganga from escalating anthropogenic pressures.
• The project at an estimated cost of Rs 1.34 crore would include development of River Biodiversity Park at Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati), establishment of a Turtle Rearing Centre (Permanent nursery at Triveni Pushp and makeshift annual hatcheries) and awareness about the importance of river Ganga and imperativeness of its conservation has been approved. 
• The task of dissipating knowledge about river Ganga will be taken up ardently in this project, which is 100% centrally funded. 
• The sustenance of more than 2000 aquatic species including threatened gharials, dolphins and turtles in river Ganga exemplifies the rich biodiversity of this lifeline to over 40 per cent of the country’s population. 
• Rivers Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad are home to some of the most endangered fauna like turtles (Batagur kachuga, Batagur dhongoka, Nilssonia gangetica, Chitra indica, Hardella thurjii etc.), the National Aquatic Animal - Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and numerous migratory and resident birds.