Since childhood, we have been hearing about the race of the hare and the tortoise in which the clever hare was won by the patient tortoise. But the turtle, which is considered a symbol of patience, is now in danger due to unorganized development and human nature. More than 90 percent of the turtles found in Nepal are on the endangered list.

Studies have shown that turtles are among the most endangered vertebrates. In Nepal, the existence of turtles and other creatures is in danger when policies are made with priority given to large wild animals. Even knowing that turtles are becoming endangered, the state has not been able to plan for conservation.  

An environmentally important creature, turtles eat decaying matter in aquatic systems. They play the role of aquatic scavengers by preventing waste, carrion and pieces of meat from mixing in the water. They create habitats for other creatures by eating vegetation found in wetlands and rivers.

The big turtle also works as a 'geological engineer' in the sea and the big river and also creates a shelter for other species of creatures by digging in the soil. According to Sabin Adhikari, a turtle researcher and member of the Turtle and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group of IUCN, there are 19 kinds of turtles in Nepal, including 17 species and two subspecies.

Among them, the yellow-headed turtle (golden turtle), three-sided turtle, black-headed turtle and red-crowned turtle are critically endangered in the world. Likewise, Thople Pokhari, Mukute river, three-sided mountain, Indian eye, Indian narrow-headed soft-shell (Bahdar), Ganges soft-shell and Indian peacock-winged turtle. Turtles are in a state of emergency in the world. The Indian Spiny Tortoise and the Northern Indian Loggerhead Tortoise are globally vulnerable.

yellow khabate dhuri, gray dhuri  And the Assam tortoise is endangered in the world . The pink hawksbill, yellow-backed hawksbill and black water (padni) turtles are among those of lesser interest in the world. It is found in Nepal from lowland of Terai to Chure Shivalik region. Also known as ground turtle, the world's rarest tortoise is found in the central hilly area. It is more common in sal forests. The Assam tortoise is also found in the hilly areas of Jhapa, Elam.

Not much is known about the 'biology' and 'distribution' of turtles in Nepal. There is a study report in the Turtle Rescue and Conservation Center of Jhapa that a small turtle survived for two and a half years without eating anything. This reptile species depends on the external temperature .

In winter, they are less active, starved and stay hidden for long periods of time. They go out more in the summer . Its body is covered with a special bony shell. Commonly referred to as the outer shell of a turtle's shell. Tortoises are hard-shelled and soft-shelled. A hard coat is made of keratin. This element makes nails and hair of people. Made of soft khatab meat . Pain in the groin can be felt .

It protects from harsh weather and danger from other animals . If it feels threatened, the turtle hides its head and legs inside the shell. Turtles dig holes in the ground and lay their eggs. Depending on the species, they lay two to one hundred eggs. Bhale Pathi is determined by temperature . If the temperature is higher than the average temperature, the females will be female and if the temperature is lower, the male will be male. According to a research article published in

2008, it is mentioned that the turtle is the first vertebrate to disappear due to human encroachment. Many species of turtles are dependent on wetlands. He mentioned that the encroachment of wetlands will affect turtle species in the near future.

This turtle is shy and hides most of the time. Asmita Ranpaheli, a turtle researcher who is nesting in the 'Turtle Island' in Austria, said that various studies have shown that this species has become more endangered due to deforestation, fire, increasing urbanization, depletion of water resources, increasing practice of using pesticides in forest areas, hunting and domestication. She said that water pollution, poaching, forest fires and climate change are also putting turtles in danger.

According to the 2021 report of IUCN's turtle and freshwater turtle expert group, wild cat expert Dr. Nepal is the 13th richest country in the world in terms of turtle and freshwater turtle species. Rama Mishra said. Turtles are also brought and released in ponds near some temples. Tortoise is considered by Hindus as the second incarnation of Vishnu.

This is why turtles of different species are kept in many temples in Nepal and India. Many turtles are also kept in the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini. Wild cat expert Dr. who is having a problem when keeping turtles in the temple does not get the natural environment they should get. Mishra said. Turtles need sun . Without the sun, the body becomes weak and the physical development slows down .

'Incense smoke, oil, ghee and amber-orange burnt inside the temple are also causing problems to turtles . Similarly, the turtle is in crisis. On top of that, due to religious activities, the danger to the turtle is increasing in an unknown way," wildlife expert Dr. Hemsagar Baral said, 'Turtles live like captives when they cannot do natural work.' 

Lumbini's Mayadevi temple has a similar problem . Next to the temple is the south pushkarini pond. There is a three-level concrete staircase on all sides. Baral said, "It is very difficult to dig the ground and leave there to lay eggs." Again the water there is not running . Staying in the same water increases the spread of disease.'

When turtles of all species are kept in one place, the incident of biting and injuring each other is more common in Mayadevi. "This has created a problem in turtle conservation," he said. Senior archaeologist Vasant Bidari said that the main reason for releasing turtles in the Pushkarini pond near Mayadevi temple is to give birth again.  

Ornithologist Krishna Prasad Bhusal said that after the death of small animals including turtles increased in road accidents, an underpass was started for them on the main road. Apart from large animals, separate underpasses for small animals have also been started on the Kakdabhatti-Laukai and Butwal-Chandrauta road sections of the Asian standard that are being built now.

He said that work is being done according to the plan to make different underpasses for small animals including turtles in Betna and Pathri in the east and Buddhi and Barkulpur in the west. He said that by spreading plant seeds in the forest area, turtles contribute to forest and seed conservation and help preserve the ecological balance. 

19 types of turtles All turtles have different habits . All accommodations and meals are different. Some live in deep water and some in shallow water. Some of these species live near water sources, some in water and in swamps.

Tortoise is considered a symbol of intelligence, endurance and patience, so humans can learn a lot from it . We all have heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. Conservationists say that turtles have an amazing ability to fight against natural conditions. Most of the turtles lay their eggs near river banks. Turtle eggs become food for some creatures. Conservationists say eggs play a role in increasing productivity in marine areas.  

Research has shown that turtles also affect the nutrient cycle between the sea and the land. Physical growth of turtles is slow . Grows slowly and takes a long time to become fertile. Scientists claim that turtles have a long lifespan due to a specialized mix of lifestyle and diet. Another type of scientist says that turtles live for many years because their digestion process and cell growth are slow.

Whether a male or female emerges from a turtle's egg, the temperature determines . When the temperature is slightly higher than the average temperature, the female emerges and when the temperature is lower, the male emerges . Once hatched, the turtle has to fight for survival. Some children are eaten by other creatures. Tortoise is omnivorous and eats wild fruits, plants, kiraftuyangra, gadaula . Children are omnivorous. Some become vegetarians as adults.

In Nepal, it is considered a crime to collect, breed, sell, distribute or transport turtles or cause any kind of harm. Violation of existing laws is punishable by imprisonment from two years to 10 years or fine from 1 lakh to 5 lakh rupees or both.

Hindus also worship turtles with religious faith. Some buy turtles and offer them to the temple. Since it is considered auspicious to keep a turtle at home, some people have adopted it. Some people use the turtle shell as a hobby to make decorative items and it is also killed. Turtle killing and poaching have also increased because of the belief that keeping a turtle's shell at home will not cause lightning. Due to human hobby and superstition, the turtle is becoming endangered in the world. 

All turtles found in Nepal are on the endangered list

Professor Karan Bahadur Shah, Turtle and Reptile Specialist, Tribhuvan University 

How many types of turtles are found in Nepal?

17 species of turtles are found here. But some also count two more subspecies of turtle . That is to say, 17 species should be explained to common people. During the scientific research and research about turtles, subspecies are added. That's why the main species of Nepal pie should be said to be 17. 

What is the condition of turtles found in Nepal?

Almost all species of turtles found in Nepal are on the endangered list. That is why there is no need to increase the study and research of turtles and make short-term and long-term conservation policies, plans and programs.

What does it take to balance an ecosystem?  

Turtles eat small animals and turtles are eaten by other animals . It balances the food cycle. Turtles eat garbage and decaying animals in the water . As the vulture of land is the vulture, so is the turtle of water.   How does