Mangaluru: Building on the success of last season's olive ridley turtle conservation efforts, the Mangaluru division of the Karnataka forest department expanded its initiatives this year. Deputy conservator of forests Anthony S Mariyappa told TOI that the number of identified nesting hotspots along the 40-km coastal stretch from Uchila to Haleyangady doubled from four to eight.These hotspots have been identified at Sasihithlu, Idya, Surathkal, Tannirbhavi, Bengre, Someshwara, and Uchila.
The DCF said that to ensure the safety of turtle nests, onshore camps have been set up at each location, staffed by four forest watchers, who will patrol from sunset to sunrise. Additionally, the department decided to introduce an artificial hatchery at Tannirbhavi to relocate eggs at risk, especially from the Tannirbhavi and Bengre areas.
He said, "Awareness campaigns targeting the fishing community have also begun, alongside beach cleaning and restoration drives supported by college students and fishermen. While nesting activity is expected to start next month, forest staff are already stationed at the onshore camps for monitoring."
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 protect the olive ridley turtles and engage the local community in conservation.
The forest department has also put in place stringent SOPs to be followed whenever relocation is necessary. Generally, sand from the original nesting area is collected and placed at the same depth as it would naturally occur. It is mandatory to use gloves to prevent cross-infection or fungal infections, which could lead to unfertilised eggs.
It may be recalled that minister for forest, ecology and environment Eshwar Khandre, during his visit to Mangaluru in Feb, appreciated the efforts of the forest department officials in the conservation of marine diversity, as nesting sites were recorded after several years. In Dec last year, the first olive ridley nesting site was recorded in Sasihithlu. From this site, 88 hatchlings successfully made their way into the Arabian Sea in Feb this year.