Development of a Turtle sanctuary in Allahabad along with a River Biodiversity Park at Sangam has been approved under Namami Gange programme.
- It aims to protect the rich aquatic biodiversity of river Ganga from escalating anthropogenic pressures
- The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.34 crore would include development of River Biodiversity Park at Sangam
- This project will provide much needed platform to make the visitors aware of their place in the ecosystem, their roles and responsibilities, improve their understanding of the complexity of co-existence with the environment and help generate awareness for reducing the impact of human activities on critical natural resources.
- The task of dissipating knowledge about river Ganga will be taken up ardently in this project, which is 100% centrally funded.
- The sustenance of more than 2000 aquatic species including threatened gharials, dolphins and turtles in river Ganga exemplifies the rich biodiversity of this lifeline to over 40 per cent of the country’s population.
- Rivers Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad are home to some of the most endangered fauna like turtles (Batagur kachuga, Batagur dhongoka, Nilssonia gangetica, Chitra indica, Hardella thurjii etc.), the National Aquatic Animal - Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and numerous migratory and resident birds.
