logo
Over 37,000 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings released into sea in Chennai

Over 37,000 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings released into sea in Chennai

The Hindu02-05-2025
As dusk descended on the Chennai coast on Friday, over a hundred Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were gently released from baskets at a hatchery at Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar and made their way into the sea. While some swiftly crawled into the water, others hesitated, glancing around as if they were reluctant to leave their birthplace. Yet, one by one, they all eventually made their way towards their one true home.
So far, over 37,000 Olive Ridley hatchlings have been released along the Chennai coast, despite a challenging start to the season, which runs from December to May. During January and February, hundreds of turtle carcasses washed ashore, a troubling sign for conservationists. 'It was a worrisome time for us, with so many dead turtles,' said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests.
However, with the continued efforts of the Forest Department and collaborations with other departments such as the Fisheries Department and the Indian Coast Guard, the number of nesting turtles have rebounded. As a result, a record number of hatchlings have now been released.
According to official data, as of April 29, a total of 3,19,895 eggs have been collected across Tamil Nadu, with 2,29,432 hatchlings released back into the sea. Cuddalore led the way with 81,622 hatchlings, followed by Mayiladuthurai with 38,582, and Chennai with 37,689 hatchlings. For comparison, in 2024, Chennai had released 38,230 hatchlings by the start of June, and Tamil Nadu as a whole had released 2,15,778 hatchlings, fewer than this year.
Ms. Sahu outlined future strategies to further enhance conservation efforts, including turtle telemetry studies, the continuation of the Turtle Task Force, and the formation of a marine protection force for the Chennai region, as recently announced in the Assembly. 'One key area for improvement is better planning with local municipalities and corporations for waste management, beach cleaning, and dimming beach lights,' she added.
Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra said a new mobile app for turtle data collection would help the Forest Department and volunteers track crucial information such as nest width, depth, and temperature. The data is important to replicate ideal conditions at hatcheries and ensure the turtles' survival.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Moulika Arabhi on shaping India's environmental laws
Moulika Arabhi on shaping India's environmental laws

The Hindu

timea day ago

  • The Hindu

Moulika Arabhi on shaping India's environmental laws

The next in the monthly series by WWF-India that highlights niche and unconventional green careers through the stories of well-known personalities from the field of environment and conservation Some of our deepest values take root in childhood. For me, it began in the lush green spaces of the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, a peaceful space where native flowering trees thrive, and bird songs are more common than traffic noise. The constant presence of rich biodiversity instilled in me the value of coexisting with Nature and sparked a desire to conserve it from a young age. Law wasn't an accidental choice. In the late 1990s, I pursued the five-year Integreated LLB (Hons.) from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Environmental law wasn't offered as a subject then. We only touched upon it briefly through laws like the Air Act and the Water Act. This early exposure sparked my interest and I found myself drawn to issues around natural resources, governance, and sustainability. Inspiration Reading Down to Earth magazine during my student years only deepened that curiosity and made me aware about environmental concerns. This led me to apply for an internship at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in Delhi. What began as a three-month internship turned into several transformative years, as I was introduced to the grassroots dimensions of environmental justice and met inspiring figures like Rajendra Singh, the 'Waterman of India'. My early work in the development sector focused on human rights, gender, and natural resource management and gave me valuable field exposure and insights into how laws play out in real life. Soon, I began engaging with questions around sustainable development, governance, and how law could be used as a tool to promote environmental responsibility. This eventually led me to the field of environmental law, not just as an academic subject, but as a dynamic and evolving space where real impact was possible. Connecting environment and law I advise other organisations, develop curricula, teach at multiple institutions, and conduct training for forest officers, civil servants, and members of the judiciary. Through the Centre for Environmental Law (CEL), WWF-India, we've tried to strengthen environmental law education in the country. I've designed and launched several online courses such as the Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy, developed jointly with National Law University, Delhi, and the LL.M. in Environmental Law, Energy and Climate Change, in collaboration with O.P. Jindal Global University, which have opened new avenues for students to pursue specialised legal careers in environmental issues. What makes this journey rewarding is the ability to work for the voiceless wildlife and ecosystems that cannot advocate for themselves. One of the most exhilarating cases I followed was the Nyamjang Chhu case in Arunachal Pradesh, where the return of the endangered Black-necked Crane to its threatened breeding ground, just in time for the final court hearing, led to the halting of a hydropower project. It was as though Nature itself had spoken! I often say that environmental law is not something that can be practised in isolation. You need to bring in science, economics, politics, even ethics. One of the biggest challenges is how to communicate complex environmental issues to diverse stakeholders; from communities to corporations to judges. That's where law can act as a bridge. To anyone considering a green career in law, I'd say: identify problems but focus equally on creating solutions. Use your skills to advocate, to innovate, and to act. Our generation has done its part but it's your voice that will shape the future. Be that voice for the voiceless. The writer is Advisor at the Centre for Environmental Law (CEL), WWF-India, and Academic Advisor to WWF-India and National Law University Delhi's environmental law programmes.

6.3 ft crocodile ventures into village
6.3 ft crocodile ventures into village

Hans India

timea day ago

  • Hans India

6.3 ft crocodile ventures into village

Kendrapara: A 6.3-foot-long female saltwater crocodile was on Saturday netted by forest personnel from a pond in a village close to Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district, officials said. Locals informed the Forest department upon spotting the reptile in the pond in Endulapur village. The forest personnel took three hours to net the crocodile in the presence of the locals. After the reptile was rescued, the veterinarians conducted its health checkup. Later, it was released into the wild after it was found in a healthy condition, the officials said. Though the crocodile strayed into the village, it did not attack any human. It might have entered the pond during high tide, a forest official said. The population of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika has risen from about 96 in 1974 to 1,826 as per the latest Census. Earlier, the Forest department had sounded an alert of possible attack from saltwater crocodile in certain villages in Kendrapara district following reports that reptiles were sighted in the adjoining Brahmani river which is in spate. The crocodiles are from the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary's water-bodies and the reptiles often stray into the connected river system. The rise in water level has brought in its wake the crocodile menace, with reptiles reportedly on the prowl in the low-lying areas on the upper stream of the Brahmani river. 'A departmental alert has been sounded in villages that have come under partial flooding of the Brahmani river water,' Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Manas Kumar Das, said. The crocodiles may attack people in villages under Rajnagar, Pattamundai and Aul blocks, the forest official said. 'With the river in spate, there are reports of crocodiles straying into water bodies in and around the places of human habitation. We have warned the residents not to venture into the flooded river and adjoining water bodies,' he said. Juvenile crocodiles used to stray in search of food and leave their original habitat. But due to their natural instinct, they return within a few days, said a crocodile expert.

Transport dept asks BMC to remove obstructions around BPIA flight path
Transport dept asks BMC to remove obstructions around BPIA flight path

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Transport dept asks BMC to remove obstructions around BPIA flight path

1 2 Bhubaneswar: After authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) sent consecutive letters flagging concerns about various obstructions along the approach path of flights and urged their removal, the transport department has taken the issue up with the civic body. "As per the requirement of the ministry of civil aviation, it is necessary to remove or trim trees, street lights, poles, and buildings on the approach path of runway 14 and 32 at BPIA for the safe operation of flights, as per height restrictions under the safeguarding of Airport Operations Rules, 2015," read the transport department's letter to the BMC commissioner on July 21. A copy of the letter was also marked to BPIA. The letter also mentioned a joint inspection conducted by BMC and others to identify obstructions and take steps to remove them. The letter mentioned the decision to reduce the height of a high-mast light as a result of the joint inspection. On July 7, BPIA wrote to the civic body flagging concerns about the high-mast light in Jagamara area. The airport authorities stated that no one from BMC obtained the no-objection certificate before installing the high-mast light. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Interested in Investing? Cyprus Offers Many Options Cyprus Invest | Search ads Undo The letter stated, "There are some street electric poles (used and unused) and a high-mast light along runway 14 (Baramunda side) that need to be shortened by at least 5 metres to clear the obstruction. " The light pole is 12m high, equivalent to a four-storey building. BPIA has requested a reduction in its height by 5m. After the Ahmedabad air crash, BPIA has been addressing the obstruction issue to ensure the safety of aircraft. BMC additional commissioner Suvendu Sahu said the area where the trees are located belongs to the general administration (GA) department. "We have fixed a meeting with GA officials to decide on the removal of obstructions. Regarding the street light, we will take it up with the electrical wing," said Sahu.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store