https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Nurturing Life on the Shore: Puducherry’s Turtle Conservation Drive

In Puducherry, IFS officer Dr. P. Arulrajan blends science, technology, and community action to protect olive ridley turtles, achieving higher hatch rates and building a model for coastal conservation.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Every winter and spring, Puducherry’s 48 kilometres of sandy coastline become the stage for an extraordinary natural cycle. Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), after travelling vast distances from the waters around Indonesia and Australia, arrive here to nest. These sea turtles are highly selective, choosing beaches with low human interference, minimal light pollution, and sand that offers the right thermal conditions for incubation.

Overseeing their protection in Puducherry is Dr. P. Arulrajan, a 2009-batch Indian Forest Service officer who currently serves as Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden. With a PhD in disaster management and a strong grounding in science, he has spearheaded a conservation programme that blends traditional fieldwork with cutting-edge technology and community partnerships. His leadership has transformed Puducherry into a model region for turtle conservation.

NESTING AND NATURAL INCUBATION

The turtles arrive on Puducherry’s shores between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., guided by ocean currents. Each female lays around 100 to 150 eggs in a nest nearly two feet deep. The silicon-rich sand plays a critical role, retaining heat during the day and releasing it at night to maintain a temperature range of 25°C to 37°C. This temperature gradient determines the hatchlings’ sex—warmer zones producing females and cooler layers producing males.

“The olive ridleys have perfected their nesting behaviour over millennia. They don’t just dig holes randomly; they layer eggs in a way that balances the sex ratio naturally,” Dr. Arulrajan shared in a conversation with Indian Masterminds.

The incubation lasts 50 to 60 days before hatchlings emerge and instinctively crawl towards the sea. Their survival, however, depends heavily on whether nests remain undisturbed by predators, human activities, or environmental fluctuations.

IN SITU AND EX SITU CONSERVATION 

Dr. Arulrajan’s team uses two approaches: in situ and ex situ conservation.

In situ conservation protects eggs at the site where they are laid. On undisturbed stretches such as Auroville’s beaches, success rates are exceptionally high—around 98–99% hatchability. “Nature knows best. When the nesting site is safe, our role is simply to ensure it remains undisturbed,” says Dr. Arulrajan.

Ex situ conservation becomes necessary in vulnerable areas close to fishing settlements or tourist spots, where predators such as dogs, foxes, jackals, and birds, along with human activity, threaten eggs. Forest officers patrol the beaches between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., relocating freshly laid eggs to secure hatcheries. These hatcheries, designed with protective netting and sheds, recreate natural conditions.

The results are striking. Ex situ hatchability rates improved from 69% last year to 83% this year, thanks to better training, monitoring, and technology. In contrast, in situ sites continued to deliver near-perfect success.

“Relocation has to be done within minutes of the eggs being laid; otherwise, even minor delays can disturb the thermal balance crucial for development,” explains Dr. Arulrajan.

TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTER CONSERVATION 

Covering 48 kilometres of coastline with limited manpower is a daunting challenge. To address this, Dr. Arulrajan has introduced advanced technology into conservation planning.

By digitising nesting data collected since 2009, his team built predictive models using artificial neural networks and support vector machines (SVM). These models, coded in Python, can now predict high-probability nesting zones with an accuracy of 92–93%.

“With data-driven predictions, we no longer need to stretch patrols thin across the entire coastline. We focus resources where turtles are most likely to arrive,” says Dr. Arulrajan.

This system reduces the need for widespread staffing, allowing officers to concentrate on just 1–2% of the coast for vehicle-based monitoring. It also helps prioritise in situ conservation in safer areas and ex situ measures where risks are higher.

SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS 

Partnerships with Pondicherry University have further strengthened conservation efforts. Researchers and students not only verify hatchability rates but also study factors such as sand types, beach slopes, and diurnal temperature variations.

“Universities bring scientific depth and young energy to the field. Their studies are helping us refine prediction models and set benchmarks for other coastal regions,” says Dr. Arulrajan.

These collaborations are backed by government funding, ensuring that the insights generated in Puducherry can influence conservation strategies along India’s wider coastline.

COMMUNITY AS CUSTODIANS 

While technology and science play a crucial role, local community participation underpins the programme’s success. Coastal residents, schools, and even hospitality businesses comply with restrictions on vehicle movement and adventure sports from December to June, the nesting season.

The involvement of senior administrators, including Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan, in patrols and awareness events has created a culture of shared responsibility.

“Poaching has been eliminated completely. Today, even hotels and restaurants along the shore understand why we ask them to minimise disturbance. Conservation has become a collective responsibility,” Dr Arulrajan shared with Indian Masterminds

Training local youth and staff, many of whom studied only up to the 10th or 11th grade, has been another significant achievement. With precise instruction, they now handle nest monitoring and data collection with accuracy. Weekly site visits by Dr. Arulrajan himself ensure that standards are maintained.

“When community members become guardians of nests, it is no longer just a government program. It becomes part of local identity,” he notes.

OUTCOMES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS 

Last year, tens of thousands of eggs were safeguarded through a combination of in situ and ex situ efforts. Hatch rates are steadily improving, and the use of predictive technology has enhanced efficiency. Plans are also underway to publish findings in scientific journals, ensuring wider dissemination of Puducherry’s model.

“Every hatchling that reaches the sea carries forward a story of teamwork—of science, officers, and citizens coming together,” reflects Dr. Arulrajan.

Looking ahead, the focus will remain on refining data-driven prediction, expanding awareness, and maintaining the delicate balance between natural nesting and human intervention.

Puducherry’s olive ridley conservation effort demonstrates how science, technology, and community engagement can complement each other. By combining predictive modelling, careful fieldwork, and grassroots participation, the programme not only protects a vulnerable species but also builds a template for coastal conservation across India.

As Dr. Arulrajan puts it, “The turtles have chosen Puducherry for centuries. It is our duty to ensure they continue to return—and that when they do, the beaches are safe for their survival.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
shastri-bhawan
CSS Forum Backs Officer Deepak Khoda After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Workplace Harassment by IAS; Demands High-Level Probe in Letter to Minister
Gandhinagar: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R
14 Million Seedlings and Counting: Gujarat’s Centres of Excellence Drive Horticulture Innovation with Global Backing
Siyan Gudis old age homes Chhattisgarh
CM Sai Announces 'Siyan Gudis' for Elderly in 4 Chhattisgarh Cities, Launches Welfare Measures on International Day of Older Persons
Sardar Patel 150th birth anniversary celebrations
Gujarat CM Reviews National Unity Day Arrangements Ahead of Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary at Sardar Sarovar Dam
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand CM Flags Off Free Ambulance for Senior Citizens on International Day of Older Persons
KVS
Cabinet Approves 57 New Kendriya Vidyalayas Across India with ₹5862 Cr Outlay, 4600+ Jobs to Be Created
bureaucracy news
Ambica Anand Appointed Director in Ministry of Steel, Neeraj Surendran Named Deputy Secretary in MSDE
PiyushGoyal-resized
India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (TEPA) Comes Into Force, Boosting Trade and Investment Opportunities
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
shastri-bhawan
CSS Forum Backs Officer Deepak Khoda After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Workplace Harassment by IAS; Demands High-Level Probe in Letter to Minister
Gandhinagar: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R
14 Million Seedlings and Counting: Gujarat’s Centres of Excellence Drive Horticulture Innovation with Global Backing
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT