It is that time of the year again when the east coast of India comes to life with millions of olive ridley turtle hatchlings, just out of their eggs start making their journey towards the sea and begin their marine adventures. Last week, the Gahirmatha coast in Odisha’s Kendrapada district was witness to this beautiful […]
Turtle Nesting Sites facing the Heat
For turtles, nesting grounds are the most secure place on earth. They may be wandering all across the world oceans throughout the year, but it is here that they come year after year to lay eggs and bring the next generation into the world. Sadly, marine scientists have found that turtle nesting grounds in many parts of the world, including India are vanishing due to climate change. What is even more distressing is that many of these may have already faced irreparable damage.
Rising Sea Animal Deaths in India’s South-West Coast
Last month two Giant Baleen Humpback whale sharks washed ashore dead on the Mumbai-Thane coast. Earlier a Bryde’s whale shark was found at Ratnagiri shores, 250 km away from Mumbai. With dead dolphins and Olive Ridley Turtles also spotted at regular intervals on the coast of Maharashtra and other south-west regions shores, there is fear that the deaths are not natural but caused by human errors.
VSPCA Saving Endangered Olive Ridley Turtles
Vishakhapatnam a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh was once known for the abundant nesting grounds of Olive Ridley Turtles along its sea coast. But now the town is gradually losing ground due to increased development, poaching and pollution along the coast line. To save the endangered sea turtles and prevent them from extinction, an organisation Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA) has taken an active role by its rangers, constantly patrolling the beaches, monitoring nesting sites, eggs and their hatchings. By taking a step further the organisation is involving local villagers, fishermen, in the endeavour by employing and educating them to the cause.
Fisherwomen in Orissa to the Rescue of Olive Ridley Turtles
Women Self Help Groups in Orissa have taken upon themselves the task of conserving and caring for Olive Ridley sea turtles found in abundance in coastal Orissa. The fisher women of the state realised how important the turtles’ conservation was for the ecosystem and in turn to their livelihood and have therefore set to save the turtles.
Military Debris Threatening Marine Life and Oceans
It might be peace time on dry land but the inhabitants of seas and oceans are constantly at war with armed forces of the world as they struggle with the military debris thrown into the waters. More often than not, the living species are miserably losing the battle of life.