In order to save the Indian Roofed Turtles (Pangshura tecta) in the Lota Devi temple pond in West Bengal Jalpaiguri district, NGOs Society for Protecting Ophiofauna and Animal Rights (SPOAR) and Wildlife Trust of India have decided to install an idol of Vishnu in his Kurma (turtle) avatar at the temple complex. The religious sentiments of devotees will be used to help reduce pollution in the pond.

• Kurma avatar is second Avatar of Lord Vishnu in the form of a turtle to support the foundation for the cosmos.

• Protection Status:
  • CITES: Appendix 1
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1
  • IUCN Red List : Low Risk, Least Concern.
• CITES stand for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
  • Under Appendix 1, CITES prohibits International trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial e.g. scientific research.
• WPA, 1972 (schedule 1)-  provides absolute protection and offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.