The problem of water pollution in the Boko-Soygaon subdivision has become a growing worry for local residents. People living in the area say that the water of the Boko river and the nearby wetlands has turned dirty and polluted due to constant dumping of waste materials. The situation has now reached a point where even aquatic life seems to be suffering.
On Tuesday, people passing by National Highway 17 at Borpara in Boko were surprised to see a rare turtle crawling out from a canal. The sight drew many onlookers who immediately informed the Singra Forest Range Office. A team from the forest department, led by Range Officer Pinku Singh, soon arrived at the spot and rescued the turtle.
Residents said that waste from Boko market is being dumped into the Boko river, especially at night. Many shopkeepers and traders allegedly throw hotel waste, leftover food, plastic bags, and remains from the fish and meat market into the river. This continuous dumping has made the river water dirty and smelly, spreading into nearby ponds and wetlands. People fear that the pollution is slowly destroying aquatic life and affecting the balance of the local ecosystem. 
Locals believe that the turtle came out of the canal because the water had become too polluted for it to survive. The rescued turtle, weighing around five kilograms and estimated to be five to six years old, was identified as an Indian Softshell Turtle, which is considered a rare and endangered species in India. After proper care and identification, the forest team, with the help of local residents, released the turtle into the pond of the Shiv Temple at Nagopara, Boko.
Range Officer Singh expressed concern over the growing pollution levels in the Boko river. He said that such incidents are a sign that the aquatic environment is under pressure. “These creatures are leaving their natural habitats because they can no longer live in the polluted water,” Singh said.
Members of the Shiv Temple management committee also recalled a similar incident from earlier this year when another turtle was rescued from the Boko river and released into the same pond. They, too, believe that pollution and waste dumping are forcing these rare animals to leave their natural surroundings.
