Consider the following statements about Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary.

i. It is located in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

ii. It was the first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary in the country.

iii. The turtles were released to promote organic removal of half-burnt human corpses.

Which of the above statements is/are true?

The correct answer is Only i and ii

Key Points

• Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh and is the first sanctuary dedicated to freshwater turtles in India.
• It was the first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary in the country, established with the aim of conserving the turtle species found in the region.
• The turtles were indeed released into the sanctuary to help with the organic removal of half-burnt human corpses, as the sanctuary is located near the Assi Ghat of the Ganges River, where many corpses are left to float after cremation.
• The sanctuary aims to maintain a delicate ecological balance by promoting this natural method of cleaning the river while protecting the species that call the Ganges home.

 Additional Information

• Statement iii
  • The statement regarding the promotion of organic removal of half-burnt human corpses is partially true. While this natural method of cleaning is encouraged in the region, it is not the primary purpose of the sanctuary.
  • The primary goal of the Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary is conservation and protection of the turtle species, although the natural cleansing of the Ganges is an incidental outcome.