The turtle nests in Morjim
Every year, several endangered Olive Ridleys make their way towards the Goan coastline to lay eggs. Though the numbers are dwindling due to rampant tourism activities, collaborative efforts by the Forest Department of Goa, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Drishti Marine Services, IUCN India and Terra Conscious through a Marine Wildlife Stranding Response and Monitoring Network, called Ocean Watch – Goa ensures the protected sites are monitored. The hatchery on Morjim beach has 16 nests this year, out of which hatchlings have already emerged out of five. “The rest are expected this month and next month. Once they lay the eggs, they take 45 to 52 days to hatch. Most of the nests are expected this month, because they were laid around January,” says Nandakumar Parab, Assistant Conservator of Forests Wildlife & Eco-tourism (North).
The protected site can be visited by locals and tourists, but they can’t get close or touch the nests, lest they disturb the process. “We have maintained the hatcheries. There are guards deployed by the forest department to regularly patrol the area around Morjim, until Mandrem. The entire beach stretch is monitored for 24 hours. Since most of the turtles come during the night, monitoring in the darkness is more important,” says Nandakumar. There are usually three monitoring staff during the night shift and one or two during the day, depending on various factors. They work overtime if the turtles hatch and need to be released the same day. One can chat up with them and they are glad to share information on turtle conservation.
There are numerous times when they witness a turtle making its way up the shore to lay eggs. “We make sure we don’t disturb them when they are at it. We observe from far and make sure we keep stray dogs, predators and tourists away, so as to not frighten the turtle. They go back if they feel threatened even a bit,” one of the monitoring staff tells us. “Once we notice that the hatchlings have emerged, we let them go towards the water naturally. Sometimes, due to more tourists, it’s not possible, especially if it happens during the day. But there are chances of hatchlings emerging as late as 9 am, before it gets too hot,” says Nandakumar.
The survival percentage of the hatchlings is very low. That’s the reason turtles lay over a hundred eggs, out of which around 60-70% emerge from the nest and make their way to the sea. “It’s a good success rate. The activity of the turtles are witnessed only before sunrise and after sunset, hence we are more alert in the night. Any time the watchers find nests, they shift the eggs to the hatcheries. And then we protect it from predators and human interventions,” says Nandakumar.
The turtles – then and now
There are very few places along the west coast that the Olive Ridley turtles visit, because they are very selective. “Goa is blessed with three such beaches – Morjim, Agonda and Galgibag. The rest of the beaches aren’t identified as turtle nesting sites. These are specific areas which needs to be protected, because if they aren’t, this will become history to the next generation. Tourism needs to be promoted on a sustainable basis and depending on the carrying capacity of the beaches. If we overexploit these areas, the turtles will stop visiting. The turtles play a very important role in our eco-system. They help in maintaining the growth of seagrass, because they feed on seagrass,” says Nandakumar.
The need for sustainable tourism
However, rampant tourism affects these huge sea turtles. “About 10-15 years back, there were more turtle visits, but it has drastically reduced now, probably because of the trawlers and watersports activities in the sea. A lot of the turtles washed ashore are injured by boat propellers and have cut flaps. We rescue many turtles during the rainy season. Watersports have been banned entirely after a court directive in the entire Morjim area. Shacks are supposed to shut by 8 pm, because they shouldn’t illuminate the beach or play loud music, lest they disturb the turtles,” says Nandakumar.
Morjim beach, which was once empty, now gets many tourists, who come in the hope of witnessing sea turtle movements. “More and more people have started visiting Morjim beach to see turtles. With that, business has flourished and so many shacks popped up. There are many locals who have been very supportive. I hope more people understand and join in to support us,” he concludes.
An unusual nesting at Calangute beach
Earlier this month, the popular Calangute beach witnessed a sporadic nesting of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle at around 10 pm. Shortly after the turtle was spotted near a beach shack, the owner of the shack immediately informed the authorities. Nearly 30 minutes after, the turtle successfully laid 122 eggs, before it made its way back into the ocean. The eggs were then carefully placed in a container by a forest department official, to be relocated to the turtle hatchery at Morjim beach.
“Sporadic nesting events such as this remind us continuously of the various stressors the beaches of Goa are now undergoing. Massive changes due to a number of anthropogenic activities, such as beach beds being too close to the water, light and plastic pollution, play a vital role in disrupting natural biotic processes. Thus, it is of utmost importance to keep in mind that we share our beaches and coastal waters with diverse marine eosystem and they deserve our compassion and respect,” says Puja Mitra, from Terra Conscious.
Do's and Don’ts
·All the marine mammals and turtles of India are endangered and come under Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
·Do not try to approach the animal or crowd around it, it can make a turtle aggressive and the animal can react violently leading to serious injury, infection or even death
·Do not try to pick up an Olive Ridley, take photographs or try to refloat it. Only trained and authorized personnel are allowed to conduct rescue and documentation
·Maintain safe distance at all times, and keep the noise to a minimum as it can stress the animal out
·Inform life guards, beach safety patrol members, Forest Department or Terra Conscious about the location of the animal. Provide as much information about the location as it will enable the concerned people to reach the spot at the earliest and rescue the animal in distress or handle the carcass, preventing the spread of diseases