The Asian Elephant Alliance and the Government of India have initiated significant and diverse projects to enhance animal conservation and financial inclusion of farmers. The former is aiming to secure crucial elephant corridors across India, while the Government is focusing on expanding the coverage of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for the farming community. Additionally, Assam is seeing efforts towards the conservation of the Black Softshell Turtle.
Asian Elephant Alliance: Combating Habitat Loss
An initiative called the Asian Elephant Alliance focuses on raising around 187 crore rupees over the next decade. This fund will be directed towards securing 96 out of 101 elephant corridors across 12 Indian states. It’s a combined effort by five non-governmental organizations namely, Elephant Family, International Fund for Animal Welfare, IUCN Netherlands, World Land Trust, and Wildlife Trust of India.
Kisan Credit Cards: A Drive Towards Financial Inclusion of Farmers
The Government of India is coming up with a campaign aimed at enhancing the coverage of Kisan Credit Cards. Launched in August 1998 by NABARD and the Reserve Bank of India, this scheme was introduced to provide farmers timely and affordable credit access. Despite nearly 6.95 crores active KCCs, a considerable number of farmers still lack access to institutional credit. This scheme reduces dependency on expensive informal credit sources.
Conservation of the Black Softshell Turtle
The Black Softshell Turtle, known locally as the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu, is being bred at the Hayagriva Madhab Temple pond. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located in Hajo, near Guwahati, Assam. Threats such as hunting for meat and eggs, silt mining, wetland encroachment, and changes in flooding patterns have led to significant decreases in the turtle population.
| About Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) |
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| IUCN Status: Extinct in the Wild |
| CITES: Appendix 1 |
| Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA): Schedule IV |
| Habitat: Bangladesh and Indian state of Assam |
Hayagriva Madhava Temple: A Site of Religious Significance and Conservation
The Hayagriva Madhava temple is a significant center for Vaishnavism. Located on a hillock in Hajo, near Guwahati, Assam, it was likely built during the Pala period (10th-12th century AD). The temple pond not only carries religious significance but also plays a crucial role in the conservation efforts for the Black Softshell Turtle.