Ensuring safe nesting sites for Olive Ridleys

K.S. Sudhi
KOCHI, 
The Hindu,March 27, 2015  

Beaches of Kochi are turning out to be favourite nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles. After Kuzhipally Beach, where nearly 200 young turtles were released to sea recently, the Forest and Wildlife officials are planning to create safe nesting sites at Fort Kochi and Chellanam beaches.

The department was planning to generate awareness among the local residents of these areas and also school students for conserving the protected species, said D. Rajendran, Assistant Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry).

Though there have been earlier reports of turtle hatching in these areas, of late the animals have not been spotted in these beaches. The construction of sea walls and the possibility of loss of eggs might have resulted in turtles abandoning these beaches. Local populations, especially students, would be engaged in identifying the nesting sites and the task of protecting the eggs and safe release of the baby turtles, Mr. Rajendran said.

The campaign undertaken in Vypeen area last year helped in identifying three hatching sites this season. Of the 96 eggs laid at Pallathamkulangara beach, 89 hatched. All the 101 eggs laid in Kuzhipally beach hatched to baby turtles. The eggs laid by the turtles were collected and safely deposited in safe sites in the beach itself and round-the-clock protection was ensured for saving them from dogs and people stealing them. Protective fencing was also created at the sites, which proved successful, he said.

The turtle clubs will be extended financial incentives. The awareness campaign organised as part of the Biodiversity Conservation Programme of the Social Forestry wing, culminated in the formation of two clubs, Sealand Turtle Club and Friends Turtle Club, in the region. The 20 volunteers from these clubs and a group of students of SDPY KPMHS School, Edavanakad, led by their teacher Hari played an important role in the conservation efforts.