The World Turtle Day   The World Turtle Day was celebrated on May 23, 2009. It may not be as popular as other designated days like World Environment Day but it definitely holds a significance to save one of the finest creations of the nature- the turtle. In Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu was reincarnated as a Kachhapa (turtle) and it is believed that the  Earth is situated on its back.

The tortoise sanctuary was declared in 1989 under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in a seven-km stretch of the Ganga from Rajghat to Ramnagar after the launching of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). The GAP was started to clean the Ganga in major cities and the existence of tortoise is believed to be good for the health of the river. "The existence of tortoise sanctuary has its  own importance to clean the river," said Verma, adding that around  2,000 tortoises were released annually in the river. "The tortoises are hatched at the hatchery situated in Sarnath. Besides, the  tortoises recovered from smugglers are also released into the river," he said.    Though, legal provisions are there to protect the tortoise, one could see many harmful activities within the sanctuary that could cause damage to the habitat of the water creature. The act prohibits people from using chemicals or any other substance within the sanctuary, which may cause injury or endanger any wildlife. The act  also prohibits destroying or damaging the habitat of any wildlife. But, one could see soap being used for linen washing and bathing, cattle washing and discharge of sewage at several points in the sanctuary area.    Despite the legal protection, poachers and smugglers continue to threaten this species. Recently, over 60 tortoises were recovered from a smuggler at Cantonment railway station. According to the records of the GRP, over 1,100 tortoises were recovered in Varanasi, Mughalsarai and Jaunpur in the past three years.  Source: The Times of India