Keoladeo National Park

• 27 May 2025

Why in News? 

Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, famously called the 'paradise of birds', is now emerging as a vital sanctuary for turtles.  

• It shelters eight of the ten turtle species found in the state, making it one of the region’s richest habitats for turtles.

Key Points 

• Keoladeo National Park:  
  • About: 
    • It is a wetland and bird sanctuary located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important bird-watching areas in the world. 
      • Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India in 1981. 
      • Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are in the Montreux record. 
    • It is known for its rich avian diversity and abundance of waterbirds. The park is home to over 364 species of birds, including several rare and threatened species, such as the Siberian crane.  
  • Fauna:  Animals such as jackals, Sambar, Nilgai, wild cats, hyenas, wild boar, porcupine and mongoose can be found in the region. 
  • Flora: The principal vegetation types are tropical dry deciduous forest dominated by Babul tree (Acacia nilotica) intermixed with dry grassland. 
  • River: Gambhir and Banganga are two rivers that flow through this National Park. 
• Ideal Conditions for Turtle Habitats: 
  • The unique blend of water bodies, forest cover, and land within the park creates a near-perfect ecosystem for turtles. 
  • Deep ponds, marshy areas, and dense vegetation offer optimal conditions for turtle nesting, foraging, and reproduction. 
• Turtle Species Found in Keoladeo National Park:  
  • The park is home to hundreds of turtles, with several believed to be over 200 years old. 
    • These ancient reptiles add to the park’s ecological and cultural richness. 
  • Among the diverse species, the Indian Softshell Turtle is especially significant. 
    • Thriving in ponds and rivers it plays a crucial role in maintaining aquatic health by feeding on aquatic animals and plants. 
    • This natural scavenging helps purify water bodies and maintain ecological balance. 
  • The Crowned River Turtle, a herbivorous species marked by yellow-orange stripes on its face, adds to the park’s biodiversity. 
  • Other rare species include: 
    • Indian Flapshell Turtle 
    • Indian Tent Turtle 
    • Indian Star Turtle 

Indian Softshell Turtle (Ganges Softshell Turtle) 

• About: 
  • The Indian Softshell Turtle, also known as the Ganges Softshell Turtle, is a freshwater species native to rivers in northern and eastern India. 
  • It belongs to the Trionychidae family, known for turtles with flexible, leathery shells instead of hard scales. 
• Natural Habitat: 
  • This species primarily inhabits major rivers such as the Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi. 
  • It is also found in lakes, ponds, canals, and other freshwater bodies. 
• Distinctive Shell Characteristics: 
  • The turtle’s carapace (upper shell) is smooth, oval to round in shape. 
  • Its shell typically appears olive or green, often edged with a yellow border. 
• Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered   
  • Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule I  
  • CITES: Appendix I 
• Other Notable Softshell Turtles in India: 
  • Leith’s Softshell Turtle: Endemic to peninsular India and classified as Critically Endangered. 
  • Peacock Softshell Turtle: Listed as Endangered and found in ponds and temple tanks of northeastern India and Bangladesh.