Description

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Context

Nagshankar, in northern Assam's Biswanath district, has been declared as a model temple for turtle conservation.

Location

It is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the Biswanath district, close to the town of Sootea, and around 70 kilometers away from Tezpur in the state of Assam.

Historical context:

King Nagashankar of the Nagakha dynasty constructed the structure in the fourth century after the common era.
In addition to being devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple also celebrates turtles as manifestations of Lord Vishnu.

Key Features:

A big pond that is home to between 250 and 300 turtles, including black softshell turtles, who are in a state of critical endangered status.
A micro-wildlife refuge, it is also home to peacocks, pythons, and deer, among other exotic animals.
There are religious as well as environmental reasons for the temple's existence.

Turtle Conservation Efforts:

Biodiversity Preservation	Pond supports three rare turtle species: Black Softshell, Indian Softshell, and Malayan Softshell.
	Pond is fed by the Brahmaputra River basin, providing a suitable habitat for turtles.
Community-Led Protection	Nagshankar Temple Committee collaborates with Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India, Help Earth, and Kaziranga National Park.
Scientific Intervention	Forest department artificially incubates turtle eggs and releases hatchlings into the wild.
Replication Across Assam	About 25 temples across Assam act as turtle conservation hubs, including Hajo’s Hayagriva Madhav Temple.

Source: The Hindu

Pratice Question:
Q.Nagashankar Temple, known for its turtle conservation efforts, is located in which Indian state?
A) Odisha
B) Assam
C) West Bengal
D) Tripura

Answer:
B) Assam