After the death of thousands of fishes at Lower Lake in November 2015 due to water toxicity crossing all levels, the death of 10-12 years old tortoise on Tuesday has once again brought the cleaning work by Bhopal Municipal Corporation and their concern for aquatic lives in Lower Lake under the scanner.

A tortoise weighing more than 100 kg was fished out from the Bhopal Lower Lake. “The tortoise died about five days ago and the body was fished out by the Forest Department staff when we were tipped-off about it,” Forest Ranger R K Shukla said.

The “Paatal” breed tortoise was found floating in the lake adjacent to Hamidia College, earlier known as MLB College. The tortoise measured 4×3 feet. It generated a lot of curiosity among onlookers when it was taken out from the lake.

An autopsy concluded that it had died a normal death. Although the post-mortem reports says it’s a natural death, but as the life of the creature is supposed to be about hundred years, environmentalists have raised the questions over it.