As World Wildlife Day 2022 is being commemorated with the theme, ‘Recovering Key Species for ecosystem restoration’, a noble initiative is being undertaken in the port city of Tamil Nadu, Thoothukudi. Olive Ridley turtles, which are found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, are being conserved in the southern part of the Thoothukudi district with the combined efforts of the district administration and the forest department.
This particular species of turtle feed on invertebrates and algae and are important for protecting the marine eco system. It is also classified as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and is listed in Appendix I of CITES.
ROPING IN LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
It is known that despite being protected legally as Schedule I animal of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the Olive Ridley turtles are poached for its meat, especially when they come to the shore to lay eggs.
While speaking to Indian Masterminds, District Collector Thoothukudi, Dr. Senthil Raj said, “The idea of conserving this vulnerable species was brought up by District Forest Officer Abhishek Tomar. In Thoothukudi, these turtles are mostly found in the southern beaches between Manappad and Periyathaazhai where they lay eggs off the shore.”
To start the programme, Dr. Senthil wanted to adopt a natural way to conserve them. He said, “We engaged the local volunteers from the particular district and asked them to conduct surveys early in the morning when the Olive Ridley turtles come and do their egg laying process. As the area is vast, a lot of poaching and hunting of these eggs is seen. Hence, these local volunteers survey the area daily in the morning and bring those eggs to the conservation place we have established in Manappad village.”
CONSERVING OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES
Once the volunteers bring the eggs from the beaches where Olive Ridley Turtles lay their eggs, they are buried for a period of at least six months till the eggs are hatched. As soon as they hatch, they are left in the sea again.
To spread awareness and to see the egg laying process of these turtles, Dr. Senthil Raj, along with the DFO and other officials, took a 10km-walk along the beaches between Manappad and Periyathaazhai. Dr. Senthil said, “While walking we found a severely bruised Olive Ridley turtle which we tried to rescue. However, it was too late.”
The programme, which was launched in the month of January this year, has already managed to conserve 550 Olive Ridley turtles with the help of four local volunteers of Manappad village and a nesting site where the eggs were being conserved.
Apart from this, the district administration, under the guidance of Dr. Senthil, is planning to extend this programme to help many other creatures which need the help of humans. Just like the Olive Ridley turtle, the administration is also spreading awareness to conserve Dugong and other marine animals.
For this, Dr. Senthil said, they are looking for volunteers, especially students who have a zeal for conserving such vulnerable or endangered species.
