Staff Reporter
Canacona
A total of 84 Olive Ridley hatchlings were released into the sea at Agonda beach this week by the South Goa Marine Range of the Forest Department (Wildlife).
“This nesting season has already surpassed previous records, with expectations of more nests in the coming months,” said Range Forest Officer (RFO) Rajesh Naik, adding that the Canacona coastline provides an ideal nesting habitat for the turtles.
As of now, Agonda has recorded 119 nesting pits with 11,654 eggs, of which 684 hatchlings have been released.
At the Galgibaga hatchery, 41 pits have been documented with 4,441 eggs, and 229 hatchlings have been released.
However, turtle survival remains a challenge due to natural predators and environmental factors. Among the current pits in Canacona, 114 eggs did not hatch, and 116 hatchlings died during the hatching stage. Many turtles also face high mortality due to mechanised fishing, and other anthropogenic threats.
Despite these challenges, the Turtle Conservation Programme has significantly contributed to the survival of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. The increasing number of nests and hatchlings is a testament to the success of long-term conservation efforts, said environmentalists.
“We are well-prepared for this nesting season under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Ecotourism South) Ankit Kumar and Assistant Conservator of Forests Damodar Salelkar,” said Naik. “Our dedicated forest staff, marine experts Nester Fernandes and Xavier D’Souza, local fishermen, Drishti lifeguards, KCIC staff, tourists, and visitors have all played a crucial role in reporting, protecting nests, and keeping the beaches clean.”
The Turtle Conservation Programme, initiated in 1997, has been instrumental in protecting Olive Ridley turtles along Goa’s coastline. It involves retrieving freshly laid eggs, relocating them to enclosed hatcheries, and releasing hatchlings into the sea. The initiative now operates under a dedicated Marine Division with a beat office at Galgibaga beach to oversee conservation efforts.
The release was conducted by Naik in the presence of RFO Ankush Karapurkar, marine biologist Nestor Fernandes, and South Goa Marine Range staff on Monday.
