It was about six years ago that Equalist Ayushi Jain arrived in Kasragod in Kerala in search of Asian Asian giant softcore turtles (a big freshwater turtle). He interacted with the community, took them into confidence and eventually saw the turtle. She moved to documentation of severely endangered species with people’s support, which continue their efforts to protect turtles.
Ayushi’s efforts are described in the documentary Saving the Bhimanama: Ayushi Jain and a huge turtleDirected by Bahar Dutt and Vijay Bedi, who recently received the award for the best documentary (jury) at the 15th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival 2025.
Asian giant softcore turtle hatching | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The 11 -minute documentary is manufactured by Roundglass Sustain, which is ‘telling stories of wildlife and houses of India to create awareness and support.’ “This documentary is part of science in the action series, which talks about scientists and their work, through which we know more about the species. The story of Aayushi stands out not only because of the turtle but also because of the participation of the community,” says Samreen Farooqui, who created a documentary for Roundglass Sustain. She says, “Despite being the biggest and rare, the turtle was ignored. In the roundglass, we talk about things that are ignored.”
Olive-brown turtle, one of the longer and largest longer for a freshwater turtle (one meter), weighing up to 100 kg, is called the Asian huge softcore turtle due to its distribution in Asia. Dr. Theodore Edward canter, after a creature and botanist, is also known as a huge softshell turtle of the canter. In local equality, it is often referred to Bhimanama ,Bhiman Giant and Aama Turtle is) and Palapovain, because its features are found Palapu Or the flower of the Indian devil tree.
In Ayushi Jain (left) and Bahar Dutt Documentary. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In an email interaction, Ayushi is currently pursuing PhD at Miami University, says, “In 2022, when the documentary was filmed, this was the second video documentation of how they hatch in the wild. The first such shot was done in Cambodia.”
Asian Giant Softcle Turtle | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A Zoological Society Age of London-National Geographical Edge Fellow, when she reached Kasargod, had only a report about the turtle seen by a fisherman at an esturine house several years ago by a clue, a clue, a Kerala-based scientist. Age Sashi said in the documentary, “There was hardly any documents available to read about the turtle. So I contacted fishermen who used to get these turtles in their trap.”
Once he gained the confidence of the people, he educated them about the turtle and trained them to leave those caught in their trap. In turn, the natives, especially Fisarfoch, told him about his nesting hunting sites to protect the eggs.
For turtle
Ayushi, who received her graduation in Zoology, completed Masters in Ecology and Environment from Pondicherry University. Says Ayushi, “With a widely circle of freshwater turtles about the interests of my research, with the wide circle-led approaches to the permanent management of threatened species, with the leadership approaches of the community. My ongoing work is the work of the local community members and forest managers in the Conservation Hero Grani. Giving training for freshwater turtle and threat to their houses.
It was difficult to study turtles due to their secret nature, writing Ayushi in an article. They are buried in the river waiting for hunting. Ayushi noted that her eyes are present at the top of their head, when they are hidden, allow them to detect their prey. They are therefore ‘extremely specific ambush predators with’ aggressive behavior, an electric speed strike and a powerful jaw.
Asian Giant Softcle Turtle | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The 29 -year -old Ayushi, who belongs to Agra, connects the illegal and check dams, and broad illegal sand mining has posed a threat to its natural habitat, riverbeds. Ayushi’s work is the first such long -term document on the turtle.
Outside, a prominent name when it comes to reporting some path-breaking environment related stories, says that the documentary was special on many accounts. “When we were informed that the eggs were about the hatch, we ran away and reached the spot on time, so that she remembers that the documentary also won the 2023 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards at the Video Spot News/Feature Reporting category at the Silver Award.
Forest Department officials, who highly supported Aayushi’s work, were also present at the time of release of turtles.
Ayushi Jain | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Says Ayushi, “There are constant efforts in Kasargod to protect the nest and protect the nest with the community and forest department to protect the nest and leave the hatching in the Chandragiri River. To establish a synergy with the community and develop close ties with some local families, it was being fulfilled to see my missions incredibly saving my missions.”
As part of his PhD, he is focusing on improving the management of the Bavikkara dam to prevent nest nests for the species in Kasargod. He said, “During the first four months of this year, I conducted nesting surveys in Kasargod and studied dam management to propose strategies for its permanent operation,” she says.
See the documentary on Roundglass Sustain’s YouTube channel.
Published – May 21, 2025 03:59 PM IST
