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There are twenty species of fresh water turtles and tortoises in Bangladesh. Most of these species are on the verge of extinction due to overuse of land and water for agricultural practices, over exploitation of water resources, and local consumption as food (usually eaten by Hindu and certain tribal communities) and traditional medicines. The objectives of this research is to establish best practice of captive breeding and rearing of freshwater turtles and tortoises for sustainable conservation by creating awareness among the rural people on conservation of fresh water turtles and tortoises vis-a- vis bio-diversity, organizing and training of people to participate in breeding and rearing of flap-shell turtle for such conservation and poverty reduction. The research will also assess the prospect of income generation by estimating the rate of return on the investment made in small-scale turtle breeding projects. The result of this research is expected to establish people's ownership in sustainable conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises and creation of a model of participatory rearing/breeding of selected species of turtles and tortoises. The transfer of the breeding and rearing technology to the rural poor is also expected to improve their economic condition.
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