Indian flapshell turtle rescued and released in Morang wetland

A rare Indian flapshell turtle, known locally as the butterfly turtle, was rescued in Urlabari, Morang, and released safely into the Beteni Wetland area on 16 October 2026. Prabhu Dilungchha Rai, environmental researcher and science writer Gobinda Prasad Pokharel, alongside Dilip Pokharel and other team members, transferred the reptile to the sanctuary to return it to the wild. Environmental researcher Pokharel observed a shifting attitude toward local wildlife protection, noting that residents previously killed and consumed turtles found near villages. Community members now increasingly choose to safeguard these reptiles, with local youths successfully returning over a dozen such turtles to natural habitats so far. The initiative highlights growing environmental awareness within the Urlabari community. Instead of harming discovered wildlife, residents actively choose to rescue creatures and release them into surrounding wetlands, fostering a greater sense of local ownership and protection over regional biodiversity.