The Forest Department’s efforts to protect Olive Ridley turtles is getting desired results, with the release of around 8,000 hatchlings into the sea in the last three months, officials say.
The department has set up as many as seven hatcheries at Srikurmam, Itchapuram and Bhavanpadu. Moreover, fishermen’s community has been helping officials for the safe incubation of hatchlings.
Following a directive from Srikakulam District Forest Officer B. Vijaya Kumar, fishermen and officials the department had collected more than 36,000 eggs along the coast in January and February this year. It takes nearly two months for hatchlings to emerge from the shells. The survival rate has been good so far, with the release of more than 8000 hatchlings, while more are likely to come in a couple of weeks, as the gestation period is nearing completion.
“Awareness among fishermen has been good after we conducted the ‘Turtle Festival’ in Srikurmam recently. Locals help officials collect eggs and release turtles into the sea in a safe manner,” Mr. Vijay Kumar said. Field Publicity Officer G. Kondala Rao said awareness camps were being conducted in select fishermen community villages, as the residents were aware that Olive Ridley turtles indirectly helped the growth of fish in sea.
According to him, sea turtles are one of earth’s most ancient creatures. The seven species that can be found today have been living for 110 million years, ie., since the time of dinosaurs. The sea turtle’s shell or ‘carapace’ helps it swim. Most sea turtles undergo long migrations, some as far as 1,400 miles, between their feeding grounds and the beaches where they nest.
8,000 hatchlings released into sea in last three months
