New Delhi, 23rd February 2016: Now in its second edition, “Ninjas for Turtles”, is a unique workshop taking place over 3 days in partnership between Indian Outskirts, Turtle Survival Alliance and the Chambal Safari Lodge. In this workshop, a team of 30 students would be travelling out to the National Chambal Sanctuary Project to learn about turtles and the plethora of river wildlife in India. This would include marsh crocodiles, Gharials, Indian Skimmers, River Dolphins and other wildlife dependent on India's great rivers.

India's rivers hold a plethora of wildlife that once lived in harmony with humans. As the population and the needs of the population of the country began to grow, the pollution in the rivers started increasing. Being a lifeline of these species, the pollution in these rivers made the sustainability of these species almost impossible and the species numbers started to dwindle and local pods of Gangetic Dolphins and turtles started disappearing.

For historical and mythological reasons, the Chambal river is one of the few that stayed pristine as it was considered unholy to use the water from the river. As a result, it is still home to viable populations of riverine wildlife and birdlife. The Turtle Survival Alliance, an international body of researchers involved in the protection of terrapins, has been instrumental in protecting turtles and other species including Gharials and marsh crocodiles.

Along with research, the Turtle Survival Alliance has been instrumental in generating awareness amongst the local population and especially amongst the youth, who they see as conservationists of the future. However, since the awareness was localised, urban India had little information about the importance of turtles and of other riverine wildlife.

It is through this workshop on World Turtle Day that efforts are being made to increase the awareness among urban youth. Apart from the release and education about the turtles, a few days learning about wildlife may generate future naturalists and conservationists in this sphere. The workshop happens between 22nd-24th May 2016 and would cost Rs. 9,600/- per participant. The cost includes all travel arrangements to and from Delhi.

Indian Outskirts - a part of IndeBo - is an adventure and wildlife travel brand that, through travel, is involved in generating awareness about India and its immediate environs. These environs are little known aspects of India's diverse natural history and while yet to be a subject in school books, should be known by all Indians before they disappear due to deforestation or global warming.