In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a peculiar culinary preference has captured attention: temple turtles with a penchant for paneer. At Kachhua Talaab, a pond adjacent to a local temple, hundreds of turtles eagerly await offerings from visitors, and their preferred snack is cottage cheese, or paneer.

Kachhua Talaab is a popular place for locals seeking a break from the busy city life of Kanpur. The turtles, accustomed to human interaction, readily surface, hoping for a treat. While the gesture is well-intentioned, experts are raising concerns about the turtles' diet. Reptiles, including turtles, are generally lactose intolerant and struggle to digest milk products. Feeding them paneer regularly could lead to digestive issues and other health problems.

Despite these concerns, the practice continues, driven by tradition and the turtles' apparent enthusiasm for the snack. The turtles have become accustomed to the taste, eagerly consuming the offered paneer. This creates a challenge of balancing cultural practices with animal welfare. Conservationists suggest that visitors could offer healthier alternatives like vegetables or turtle-specific food pellets, which would be more appropriate for their digestive systems.

Raising awareness among the public is crucial to changing this feeding habit. Educational initiatives can inform people about the potential harm of feeding paneer to turtles and promote healthier alternatives. This would help ensure the turtles' well-being while still allowing people to interact with these animals in a meaningful way. The long-term health and conservation of the turtle population depend on adopting responsible feeding practices.