Forest department in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda in coordination with Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India is set to establish a turtle conservation reserve in the Sarju river, a tributary of Ghaghra, at Gonda district, known for "rich turtle diversity".

• A detailed proposal for the project has been forwarded to the state govt for approval which is based on the six-year monitoring and studying of the turtle species, the flora and fauna as well as the biodiversity.
• The 2-km stretch of river Sarju proposed for the reserve is also rich in species of plants, birds, fishes and water snakes.
• TSA director Singh said the conservation programme always envisaged the need of active cooperation with local communities.