In first of its kind attempt, this project has initiated documentation of a suite of habitat factors that influence the movement of Batagur females to particular sand banks and aid nest-site selection and how the microhabitat components affect the hatching success, sex ratio, and hatchling fitness. Though both habitat and species level protection exists in the area, certain degree of human interference close to sanctuary limits is severely impacting the species and more worryingly its critical nesting habitats. The findings of this research would not only aid the better understanding on what habitat requirements provide for successful and non-successful nesting events/habitats but will also address the knowledge gap by providing crucial information on nesting ecology of the species, and their habitat needs to Inform management decisions and concerted conservation actions/interventions for conservation of B. kachuga and its last stronghold in the wild.

In collaboration with forest department the project focuses on nest protection program for endangered B. kachuga and B. dhongoka though a riverside hatchery program, continuing exploration and documentation of critical nesting habitats and enhancing protection to nests from predation and chronic human disturbance. The current conservation effort for the species focusses on a 30-km stretch of Chambal River (Nadgawan to Udi) inside National Chambal Sanctuary comprising 12% of total stretch of the Chambal. Project team conducts foot and boat surveys at the onset of the nesting season to identify vulnerable nests along project area. During nesting season, a river-side temporary hatchery is established every year to protect the vulnerable nest. Over the past twelve years, the program have protected tens of thousands of nests from predation, and released hundreds of thousands of Batagur hatchling into the river. Most of these nests and hatchlings would typically be lost to predators or flooding. This effort is believed to provide a massive boost to sustaining these populations in the Chambal River.

A comprehensive and immersive initiative designed to deepen the public's understanding of the Chambal River's critical significance and its intricate connection to the aquatic fauna thriving within it. Our multifaceted approach includes educational workshops that disseminate knowledge about the river's ecological importance, interactive field expeditions that offer participants a firsthand experience of its unique beauty, impactful awareness campaigns across various media channels, collaborative scientific research efforts to better understand and protect its biodiversity, and active community involvement in river conservation through clean-up drives and grassroots initiatives.