The Terai Arc Landscape, in foothills of the Himalaya region, represents another turtle priority hotspot, supporting around half of the chelonian diversity in India. Being optimal habitat for the endangered Crowned River Turtle (Hardella thurjii), the Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra indica) and other species of concern, this ecosystem is one of the highest conservation priorities. Unfortunately, due to the abundance of turtles in this region, clandestine hunting for consumption and trade is a significant threat.

Alongside long-term population monitoring program, working closely with communities, and conducting ‘poacher conversion’ workshops and alternative livelihood and skill enhancement trainings, TSA India has established a well socially integrated conservation program. A community education and outreach center at Chudipurwa further expands the reach and interaction among local people.

Nesting Phenology of Crowned River Turtle

The Crowned River Turtle (Hardella thurjii) is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in the Indian subcontinent and has recently been uplisted to the Endangered category on the IUCN Red List due to rapid population declines across its distribution range. Despite its conservation significance, there is very limited information on the species' nesting ecology, reproductive behaviour, and breeding habitat requirements. This critical knowledge gap has hindered the development of evidence-based conservation strategies and effective management interventions for the species. To address this gap, ongoing research is focused on understanding the nesting phenology and key aspects of the reproductive ecology of H. thurjii, including nesting seasonality, nest-site selection, clutch characteristics, hatching success, and factors influencing nest survival. The findings from these studies will provide a scientific basis for designing targeted conservation actions, protecting critical nesting habitats, and informing long-term species recovery and management plans.

Cluster Level School Education Program

A comprehensive and immersive initiative designed to deepen the public's understanding of the Ghaghara-Sarju River system critical significance and its intricate connection to the aquatic fauna thriving within it. Our multifaceted approach includes educational workshops that disseminate knowledge about the river's ecological importance, interactive field expeditions that offer participants a firsthand experience of its unique beauty, impactful awareness campaigns across various media channels, collaborative scientific research efforts to better understand and protect its biodiversity, and active community involvement in river conservation through clean-up drives and grassroots initiatives.

Building resiliency in floodplain communities

The Sarju landscape is highly flood prone and after monsoon inundation of the area affects effects harvesting. Thus to improve the resiliency in flood plain communities and to empower women new technique of kitchen/vertical gardening was introduced in few villages along Sarju.To promote supplemental food production among the underprivileged people in the targeted village the project helped to promote an innovative small scale farming methods as vertical bamboo farming and kitchen garden model with an aim to improve and supplement nutrition security of households. This model are cost-effective, practical and easily meet the balanced dietary requirements of rural household along with empowering the women in the rural setting. Through this intiative local women were trained in innovative small scale farming methods, providing them with assorted yield of vegetables during flood situation. This initiative is helping to improve the social status as well their awareness regarding the importance of nutritional diet for themselves and their families.

Population Monitoring Program

The Ghaghra-Sarju River System, a major tributary of the Gangetic River Basin flowing through the Terai Arc Landscape in Uttar Pradesh. It is a key conservation area harbouring nearly half of Indian turtle species. It is also one of the five Turtle Priority Areas identified in Strategic Conservation Planning Meeting, 2010. Over the last decade or so, certain stretches have been identified in the lower Sarju River that hold several important species, including the largest documented population of the elusive and highly threatened H. thurjii. TSA India’s on ground team, since long has been monitoring turtle population in the stretch. The team also focuses on studying the nesting behavior and phenology of H. thurjii along with contributing towards capacity building and sensitization of the local community.