Project Location:Khuzestan(Lat/Long:31.315789-48.685913)
Project background:
Euphrates Softshell Turtle (Rafetus euphraticus) or Forati Turtles a soft shell turtle are one of the ancient species on earth belonging to about 100 million years ago and are listed in the IUCN Red List. However, in Iran they it is not listed under protected type as there is very little information available on it. Geographically limited to the Euphrates area rivers and the divisions flowing through Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Lack of knowledge and awareness on the importance of this endangered species and its only remaining habitant in Khousistan Province is threatening the species and its habitat.
Forati Turtles are meat eaters and local fishermen already facing reduced fish stock in the sweet waters of Kharkheh River are under this belief that these turtles are threatening their livelihood. Another major threat comes from agricultural practices and also unsustainable fishing techniques by the outside fishermen.

Project activities are:
? Studing the existing condition of the Forati Turtle, working with people and producing maps for trust building with the locals
? Identifying the key stakeholders for participation in the project along the communities
? Education and awareness of local fishermen and their youth towards Forati Turtle and its uniqueness
? Documentation of participatory conservation activities in a booklet and a short clip in Persian and English
? Publish newsletter with materials partly belonging to the community for each payment
? Prepare and present power points with each payment for wider networking
? Present the case as a paper in a conference