A SAFE ABODE FOR STAR-TORTOISES ... A Success Story
Once, it’s a grave-yard for the Highly Endangered Star-tortoises. Now, it’s turned as a ‘Safe Heaven’ for the said species at SREEKURMAM Temple due to the dedicated initiation by the GREEN MERCY, a Wildlife Watch and Ward Organization. SREEKURMAM is the one and only ancient Hindu Temple in the World, where Lord Vishnu is being worshiped as ‘Kurmanadha’…a Tortoise God. The villagers and the devotees collect stray Star-tortoises from the fields and scrub jungles and leave them in the temple premises as they believe that these creatures are the true incarnation of lord Vishnu. Nine years back, Maintenance by the Temple Administration was most inhuman and the star-tortoises were subjected to unimaginable cruelty leading to starvation deaths and smuggling etc., In addition to this, now and then, the predators like feral dogs, eagles and jungle cats used to enter into the temple premises and kill the poor helpless tortoises.
Beginning of a NEW ERA:
GREEN MERCY Organization took the pitiable plight of the tortoises here to the notice of Temple Authorities on continuous basis but they paid a deaf ear! So the GREEN MERCY Organization took the issue to the notice of the Forest Department and the Collector. As there is very little positive response initially, GREEN MERCY with untiring efforts, started an agitation to save the tortoises at SREEKURMAM and resolved to took the issue to the Print and Electronic Media. Then the issue got required attention. The Forest Department swing into action and issued notice to the Temple Authorities and ordered immediate evacuation and release of the star-tortoises in the wild, their natural habitat.
However, as religious sentiments and emotions were involved in this issue that led to wild agitations against GREEN MERCY and was branded as Anti-Hindu Organization by the Temple Authorities. GREEN MERCY Volunteers banned from entering the Temple/Village and threatened with dire consequences. However, GREEN MERCY did not dilute it’s stand. Later the issue went to the notice of the District Collector and the District Forest Officer, the Endowments Commissioner and the concerned Minister and finally , landed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Hon’ble High Court agreed to issue the Stay Order, if anybody commits construction of a well-equipped Star-tortoises Conservation Center within 3 months, strictly as per the Conservation guidelines laid down by the IUCN/Global Tortoise Conservation Groups. The Temple Executive Officer was asked to submit detailed Report to the High Court on the Enumeration, up-keep including health/hygiene/food etc.,
‘Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Trust’ came forward and gave the commitment to the High Court in writing to do necessary Research/Coordinate with Domain Experts to build a New Conservation Center for the Star-tortoises within 3 months. Based on this the High Court issued a conditional Stay Order not to shift the tortoises from the Temple premises. ‘Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Trust’ built a full-pledged Star-tortoises Conservation Center ahead of scheduled time with Scientific in-puts from Andhra University Zoology Department/IUCN/GREEN MERCY/Global Conservation Groups guidelines for the construction of the New Star-tortoises Conservation Center. On the advice of the Wildlife Department, the Temple Authorities signed an MOU with the GREEN MERCY Organization for the effective management of the said Conservation Center.
Present Status:
GREEN MERCY Organization with commitment and dedication made this task as a Role Model. This Star-tortoises Conservation Center under the supervision of GREEN MERCY…attained a World Record in ‘Captive Breeding’ and adjudged as the Best Enclosure for Star-tortoises in India. This Conservation Center is located in Srikakulam District of A.P., India, presently housing about 200+ Star-tortoises with world-class amenities. Also functioning as an Awareness Education Center for the Endangered Wildlife Species.
New Star tortoise Conservation Centre at Srikurmam
Star Tortoises at Conservation Centre
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