Kajalheri sanctuary turns deadly as turtles flee poisoned waters
Turtles at Kajalheri sanctuary are abandoning waters reported to be poisoned, threatening a species with the highest legal protection.
A protected turtle habitat in Haryana has become a site of distress, with reports indicating that the reptiles are fleeing waters described as poisoned. The Kajalheri sanctuary, once a refuge for the species, is now being described as a death trap.
The turtles found in this wetland enjoy the highest level of statutory protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, placing them on par with iconic species such as the tiger and the rhinoceros. Their legal status reflects the critical need for conservation, and they are also listed as threatened under the IUCN Red List.
Despite these safeguards, the local turtle population is facing an acute environmental crisis. The exodus from the sanctuary underscores the severity of the water contamination, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing protection measures in preserving the species' natural habitat.
The situation at Kajalheri highlights a broader challenge in wildlife conservation: statutory protection on paper does not always translate into safety on the ground. As turtles abandon the sanctuary, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most legally guarded species to habitat degradation.