Kundapur coast gears up to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles during nesting season

Udupi: With the annual nesting season underway, forest department officials in Kundapur are making extensive preparations to safeguard the arrival of endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the coastal belt.

Reports of turtles coming ashore to lay eggs on select beaches of the Kundapur coastline have prompted authorities to intensify protection measures.

Special protective enclosures have been set up at identified nesting sites to shield turtle eggs from threats such as stray dogs and other predators.

These enclosures also help minimise human disturbance during the critical incubation period, ensuring a safer environment for the vulnerable eggs. Forest officials said their efforts would continue until the hatchlings emerge and safely make their way back to the sea.

“Our responsibility does not end with protecting the eggs. We remain vigilant until the young turtles reach the ocean,” an official stated. Generally, Olive Ridley eggs hatch in about 50 days.

Every year, beaches under the jurisdiction of the Kundapur Forest Division are secured and monitored closely throughout the nesting season. To create awareness among local residents and beach visitors, the forest department has launched several outreach programmes.

Educational sessions are being conducted on the ecological importance of Olive Ridley turtles, particularly their role in maintaining marine balance by feeding on jellyfish. By keeping jellyfish populations under control, these turtles indirectly support the livelihood of coastal fishing communities.

There are four species of sea turtles found in Indian waters, and the Olive Ridley is known for its unique mass nesting behaviour. These turtles inhabit the Arabian Sea and return to the same coastal stretches every year to lay eggs.

Recognising their ecological value, the forest department has been undertaking conservation initiatives to protect their breeding cycle. Officials said similar conservation measures have also begun along the neighbouring Dakshina Kannada coastline.

In the Kundapur division, protective enclosures have been prepared at Kodi Beach, a location where turtles have frequently nested in previous years. To prevent vandalism and ensure round-the-clock monitoring, CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic points along the beach.

Beach watchers regularly patrol the coastline to identify nesting activity. Local fishermen play a crucial role by informing authorities whenever they spot turtle tracks or nests. To encourage their participation, the department provides an incentive of ₹3,000 for identifying nesting spots—an increase from the earlier amount of ₹2,000.

Several organisations, including ReefWatch Marine Conservation – Kundapur, NGOs, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, and local residents, have joined hands with the forest department in protecting Olive Ridley eggs and hatchlings.

An Olive Ridley turtle typically lays its eggs on sandy beaches during the night, mostly around the full moon days of January and February. After reaching the shore, the turtle digs a pit in the sand and lays between 100 and 150 eggs at a time.

Once the eggs are laid, the turtle carefully covers them with sand to conceal the nest before returning to the sea. The eggs remain buried in the warm sand and hatch naturally after about 50 days.

When the tiny hatchlings emerge, they instinctively head towards the Arabian Sea together—a remarkable natural phenomenon that conservationists are striving to protect.

Officials have appealed to the public to cooperate by avoiding disturbances on nesting beaches, especially during night hours. “Simple acts such as reducing bright lights, avoiding littering and keeping dogs away can make a huge difference in turtle conservation,” a forest department source said.

With coordinated efforts from authorities and the local community, Kundapur is once again preparing to welcome and protect these gentle marine visitors, ensuring that the ancient nesting tradition of Olive Ridley turtles continues unharmed.

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