The Terai Arc Landscape, in foothills of the Himalaya region, represents another turtle priority hotspot, supporting around half of the chelonian diversity in India. Being optimal habitat for the endangered Crowned River Turtle (Hardella thurjii), the Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra indica) and other species of concern, this ecosystem is one of the highest conservation priorities. Unfortunately, due to the abundance of turtles in this region, clandestine hunting for consumption and trade is a significant threat.

Alongside long-term population monitoring program, working closely with communities, and conducting ‘poacher conversion’ workshops and alternative livelihood and skill enhancement trainings, TSA India has established a well socially integrated conservation program. A community education and outreach center at Chudipurwa further expands the reach and interaction among local people.

Nesting Phenology of Crowned River Turtle

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.

Cluster Level School Education Program

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.

Building resiliency in floodplain communities

The Sarju landscape is highly flood prone and after monsoon inundation of the area affects effects harvesting. Thus to improve the resiliency in flood plain communities and to empower women new technique of kitchen/vertical gardening was introduced in few villages along Sarju.To promote supplemental food production among the underprivileged people in the targeted village the project helped to promote an innovative small scale farming methods as vertical bamboo farming and kitchen garden model with an aim to improve and supplement nutrition security of households. This model are cost-effective, practical and easily meet the balanced dietary requirements of rural household along with empowering the women in the rural setting. Through this intiative local women were trained in innovative small scale farming methods, providing them with assorted yield of vegetables during flood situation. This initiative is helping to improve the social status as well their awareness regarding the importance of nutritional diet for themselves and their families.