Preparations intensify along coastal belt for olive ridley turtle nesting season

Surathkal: Even before the winter chill of January reaches the shoreline, preparations to protect olive ridley sea turtles have gained momentum along the Karnataka coast.

Anticipating the annual nesting season, the Forest Department has rolled out advance conservation measures to safeguard turtle eggs and hatchlings, while also creating awareness among the public about marine wildlife protection.

Olive ridley turtles are expected to arrive along the coast in the coming weeks to lay eggs. In response, the Forest Department has set up special protective hatcheries at key nesting sites, including Sasihithlu, Iddya and Bengre.

Officials said the initiative aims not only to protect the eggs and hatchlings from predators and human interference, but also to promote the importance of conserving marine biodiversity.

Under the protection plan, information about turtles arriving at night to lay eggs is collected through fishermen and forest staff stationed along the coast. Once nesting is confirmed, the eggs are carefully relocated to secure hatcheries.

The sites are guarded round-the-clock until the hatchlings emerge, after which the young turtles are safely released into the sea. The entire process is monitored using CCTV cameras to prevent disturbances or illegal activities.

Encouraging survival rate:

Official data highlights the success of the conservation effort. During the 2024–25 season, a total of 24 hatcheries were set up — eight at Sasihithlu, one at Bengre and 13 at Iddya. From these sites, 2,490 olive ridley eggs were collected and protected. Of these, 1,842 hatchlings successfully emerged and were released into the sea, marking a survival rate of 73.97 per cent.

“This is a significant improvement compared to the previous year, when the survival rate stood at 50.3 per cent,” forest officials said, adding that the increase reflects better monitoring, coordination with local communities and heightened awareness.

Indicator of marine health:

Olive ridley turtles are not just another marine species, officials stressed. They are considered key indicators of ocean health. By feeding on jellyfish and other organisms, turtles help maintain ecological balance in the marine ecosystem. The increasing presence of olive ridley turtles from Karwar to the southern coastal belt is seen as a positive sign for the region’s marine environment.

“The growing number of turtles nesting along our coast suggests that the marine ecosystem is relatively stable. It is an encouraging signal for conservationists,” a Forest Department official said.

Strong legal protection:

The Forest Department has reiterated that harming turtles or destroying their eggs is a serious offence under wildlife laws. Manoj, Range Forest Officer of the Mangaluru division, warned that olive ridley turtles fall under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, the same category as tigers. “Any destruction of turtles or their eggs is a grave crime and will invite strict legal action,” he said.

Pollution remains the biggest threat:

Despite conservation efforts, pollution continues to pose a major threat to sea turtles. Plastic waste, abandoned fishing nets and the discharge of hot water from industrial units into the sea have been identified as major hazards. Fishermen have reported that sightings of live turtles in the sea have reduced, while instances of dead turtles washing ashore have increased.

“Earlier, we used to see turtles swimming close to the shore. Now, more dead turtles are found on the beach,” said Suresh, a fisherman from Surathkal. He attributed the trend to marine pollution and rough sea conditions.

Officials say the hatcheries set up along the coast are not just meant to protect turtle hatchlings, but also to remind future generations of their responsibility towards conserving marine life and protecting fragile coastal ecosystems.

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