Wildlife
TURTLES IN DANGER
Bostami Turtle is one of the rare species of turtles found in the world. International Union for Conservation of nature, an environmental organisation classified the turtles 'extinct in the wild' in 2002.
In Bangladesh, this rare species of turtles can be found only in the pond of Baizid Bostami Mazar at Chittagong city. But here too, the turtles are in danger of becoming extinct because rampant pollution of the pond water and overfeeding by the devotees, who feed them with a view to obtaining divine blessing. The shrine authority is responsible for taking care of the turtles but does nothing to keep the pond, habitat of the turtles clean. As a result of the polluted pond water the turtles are getting sick. Fungus too can be seen in the bodies of the turtles.
Anurup Kanti Das
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