Mangaluru
Building on the success of last season’s olive ridley turtle conservation efforts, the Mangaluru division of the Karnataka Forest Department has expanded its initiatives this year. Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Anthony S Mariyappa announced that the number of identified nesting hotspots along the 40-km coastal stretch from Uchila to Haleyangady has doubled from four to eight. These hotspots are now located at Sasihithlu, Idya, Surathkal, Tannirbhavi, Bengre, Someshwara, and Uchila.
To protect the turtle nests, the department has established onshore camps at each of these sites, staffed by four forest watchers who will patrol from sunset to sunrise. An artificial hatchery has also been set up at Tannirbhavi to relocate eggs at risk, particularly from the Tannirbhavi and Bengre areas. Additionally, awareness campaigns targeting the fishing community, along with beach cleaning and restoration drives supported by local students and fishermen, are underway.
While nesting is expected to begin next month, forest staff are already stationed at the camps to monitor activity. Last season, the department recorded 21 nests, documenting 2,000 eggs and successfully releasing 1,100 hatchlings into the Arabian Sea. This year’s expanded efforts aim to further safeguard the olive ridley turtles and involve the local community in conservation.
The department has also implemented stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for egg relocation. When necessary, sand from the original nesting site is carefully relocated, ensuring it is placed at the correct depth. Gloves are used to avoid cross-infection or fungal contamination, which could affect the eggs. In December 2023, the first olive ridley nesting site was recorded at Sasihithlu, where 88 hatchlings successfully made their way into the Arabian Sea in February 2024.
