Jorhat, Sept. 4: A rare species of spotted pond turtle, which was rescued a few days ago, got a new lease of life after it was treated and released in Torani Beel in Sivasagar district last evening. The turtle, which is on the endangered species list of the Wildlife Protection Act, was rescued from a drain at Sapehkhati by Seven Look, an NGO associated with wildlife conservation. It was treated by a veterinarian and released in Torani Beel last evening. The shell of the tortoise was slightly damaged. “Since the vet told us that it was a minor injury, we decided to release it in the beel in the presence of forest department officials,” Palash Ranjan Goswami, president of Seven Look, said. Goswami said villagers had tried to kill the turtle. Turtles are hunted and killed, especially in the rural areas, as they are considered to be a delicacy. At times, it is also a ritual to catch turtles and donate them to temples. Seven Look has launched an awareness drive in Sivasagar district to conserve the species. Three wetlands in Sivasagar district — Taroni Beel, Ujantoli Beel and Lolitongkur Beel — have been identified by the NGO as the habitat for three species of endangered turtles — Assam roofed turtle, spotted pond turtle and Asian leaf turtle. “There is lack of awareness among the villagers about the importance of these turtles, the threats faced by them and the laws against hunting them. The local fishermen use pesticides to catch fish, which also affects the turtles,” Goswami said. “We have launched a massive campaign in these areas to make people aware that these pre-historic creatures, which play a vital role in the ecosystem, should not be harmed,” he said. The campaign includes street plays, leaflet distribution, hoardings, art competitions, cycle rallies and eco-camps. The NGo has also distributed brochures and posters printed in both English and Assamese. “We have also taken the campaign to a few schools here,” Goswami said. Of the 29 known species of tortoise and fresh water turtles in the country, 21 are found in the Northeast.