Case Studies on Religious Commitments Towards Protection of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises in India
Rao RJ
ABSTRACT
In India a large percentage of people are affiliated with the religious faiths so they voluntarily participate in the protection of environment thereby helping the wildlife to survive. Religious people in the country believe on divinity related to nature, such as rivers, mountains, trees, animals, and the earth. Although the national and state governments are putting efforts in conserving chelonians by protecting endangered species through State Legislation and also in declaring the habitats as protected areas, the locals and religious people are also contributing for the protection of freshwater turtles and tortoises in religious reserves/sanctuaries and temples. For outreach conservation activities the religious leaders in India are coming forward and contributing for conservation and protection of Chelonians. Case studies on protection of turtles and tortoises by religious people are discussed in this paper.
