Turtle Survival Rides On Assam's Towels

‘Gamosas’, woven with images of endangered turtles, are aiding conservation

- Rahul Karmakar

The multipurpose Assamese gamosa — the ubiquitous, white cotton towel with its characteristic red border — has been assigned a new function: conservation of rare freshwater turtles.

Conservationists are banking on this cultural icon to carry forward the message of turtle conservation, with gamosas woven with turtle images.

“We had no idea that our routine weaving could be part of a conservation initiative. We hope our efforts help the turtles,” said Mrinalini Das, a weaver from Puranigaon village at Biswanath Ghat.