New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- The Delhi forest and wildlife department is set to revamp and expand its turtle pond at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in south Delhi after a rapid increase in the turtle population housed there since its creation in 2022. Officials said a tender worth Rs.11.06 lakh was floated on November 6 for renovation and maintenance works, including planting nearly 500 new trees, shrubs and hedges, monthly watering, removal of garden waste, and expanding the pond's area to improve the habitat for turtles that have been breeding successfully at the site. The pond was established in January 2022 as a temporary or "transit" camp to house trafficked, injured and rescued turtles. However, the numbers have grown significantly over the past two years, with more than 250 turtles currently thriving there. These include four Indian species of both hard-shell and soft-shell varieties. HT had on August 5 reported that habitat enrichment measures taken over the past year led to the sanctuary's most successful breeding season so far. "This year, between 20 and 25 turtles hatched here. There has been focused action on the pond, which includes setting up rocks on the edges and planting native grasses where they can hide, nest, find food and rest. In addition, logs have been placed in the middle of the pond, where they like to sit and bask," a senior forest official said. A sandy patch has also been created for basking, the official added. A copy of the tender, seen by HT, details several protective works: repairing the pond's green fibre lining, installing a new chain-link fence, clearing weeds and wild growth across 740 sq m, compacting the soil...