Turtles in Kamakhya ponds under threat

Maa Kamakhya's Abode

The centuries-old turtles in the ponds of Kamakhya Temple are under threat as their territory is being invaded by the thousands of devotees, visiting the temple on the occasion of Ambubachi Mela. Though the exact population of the turtles in these ponds are not known. Kamakhya temple has three ponds which has been home to these turtles for around 300 years. However, every year during Ambubachi mela devotees plunge into the ponds for a dip and also pollute the ponds while trying to feed them biscuits, bread crumbs and puffed rice.

A glimpse of a turtle in the Kamakhya Pond

While the  kamrup metro district  administration, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and the Kamakhya Debutter Board are concerned about maintaining proper hygienic conditions in and around the Kamakhya temple during Ambubachi mela.  The protection of the three ponds- Bhairabi Pukhuri, Natun Pukhuri and Saubhagya Kunda and the turtles have not been on the priority list of either the administration or the temple authorities. According to the the Kamakhya Debutter Board,  restrictions will be put  on feeding turtles at the ponds in Kamakhya. Recently the Debutter Board, which monitors the administrative work in the Kamakhya temple, joined hands with NGO Aaranyak for conservation of turtles in the temple ponds through scientific intervention. There are about eight old temples in Assam, including Kamakhya and Haigrib Madhab at Hajo in Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup (rural) district respectively that houses different species of turtles.