Asian Giant Tortoises Reintroduced in Nagaland’s Community Reserve

The critically endangered Asian giant tortoise, the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia, has been successfully reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland’s Peren district. On August 2, 2023, officials released ten individuals of the species from the Nagaland Zoological Park, located in the nearby Chümoukedima district. This significant event was organized by the Nagaland Forest Department in collaboration with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP).

C. Zupeni Tsanglai, the Director of the Nagaland Zoological Park, explained that these tortoises were bred and prepared for release from a conservation colony within the park, which boasts the largest captive population of this species in India. Local youths have been enlisted as ‘tortoise guardians’ to help protect the released tortoises and assist in ongoing data collection efforts.

Once abundant in the region, the Asian giant tortoise faced near extinction in Nagaland over the past decade. The conservation project initiated by the ITCP in 2018 marks a significant effort to restore this species, primarily using tortoises donated by private individuals who had been keeping them as pets. The tortoises released in the community reserve were born in 2019, originating from a small population that the conservation programme began with.

Shailendra Singh, the director of the ITCP, highlighted the ecological importance of the Asian giant tortoise, often referred to as the “small elephants of the forests.” These tortoises play a crucial role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration, while also contributing to the cleanliness of the forest floor by scavenging.

Community Collaboration and Habitat Assessment

The site for the tortoise release was selected following a detailed habitat suitability assessment conducted across several potential locations in Nagaland. According to Tokaho Kinimi, the Wildlife Warden based in Dimapur, protected areas such as community and conservation reserves have been effective in preserving wildlife and forests through cooperative efforts between local communities and the Forest Department.

The tortoises were released into a pre-constructed soft-release enclosure, allowing them to acclimate to their new environment before dispersing into the wild. Each tortoise has been marked and tagged with a VHF-based telemetry system, enabling researchers to monitor their movements and survival rates in the dense rainforests. Sushmita Kar, the ITCP’s project coordinator, stated that if this pilot release proves successful, additional tortoises will be released to aid the recovery of the dwindling wild populations.

Before their transportation to the reserve, the tortoises underwent comprehensive health checks and were quarantined for over six months to ensure their well-being. Chisayi, the Divisional Forest Officer in Peren, confirmed that local youths have been engaged as ‘tortoise guardians’ to help protect the released tortoises and assist in data collection. Community members have contributed to the project in various roles, while the Peren district administration has pledged support.

The district’s Additional Deputy Commissioner, D. Robin, emphasized the commitment to implementing special measures for the long-term protection of the released tortoises and their habitat. This collaborative initiative marks a hopeful step toward restoring the population of Asian giant tortoises in Nagaland, ensuring their role in the ecosystem is preserved for future generations.