Record-Breaking Season: 2.29 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Thrive in Tamil Nadu!

In an exciting development for marine conservation, Tamil Nadu has achieved a remarkable milestone this nesting season. A record number of 229,432 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings have made their debut in the sea. This is nearly four times the amount recorded five years ago, when just 25,551 hatchlings were released in 2019-2020.

Supriya Sahu, Tamil Nadu’s Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, shared insights on this achievement. She noted that this success is due to thorough groundwork, focused efforts, and solid collaboration with local communities. “The increase reflects effective turtle management and improved coastal protection, driven by coordinated conservation efforts,” she stated.

Data shows a steady rise in hatchling numbers over the past five years: 60,789 in 2019-20, 116,160 in 2020-21, 172,339 in 2021-22, 182,917 in 2022-23, and now 229,432 in 2024-25.

As of early May, over 249,745 hatchlings have been released, following the collection of 319,895 eggs from various districts. The Olive Ridley turtle, named for its olive-green shell, is the most abundant sea turtle type. However, they face threats, as they nest in limited locations. Disruptions to these sites can have severe impacts on their population.

Key actions behind this increase include nightly patrols, a dedicated task force, and climate-resilient hatcheries. The daily patrols help safeguard distressed turtles and protect their eggs. The task force coordinates with multiple stakeholders, including the fisheries department and local fishermen.

Moreover, the Wildlife Division in Chennai set up a Command-and-Control Centre to enhance coordination. Expanded hatchery facilities ensure maximum protection for nests, leading to higher hatching success rates. Cuddalore and Chennai have particularly excelled, and teams are closely monitoring nesting areas.

In Chennai, hatcheries like Neelankarai and Besant Nagar are operating at full capacity. In Cuddalore, teams focused on specific coastal stretches to monitor and relocate nests promptly. Data is uploaded in real-time via an app, allowing for efficient tracking and intervention.

Success is measured not just by numbers. Careful practices, like releasing hatchlings during cooler times to protect them from predators, play a significant role. Once hatched, tracking these tiny turtles is a challenge due to their size. Their survival rate is low—around 1 in 1,000—making pollution control and habitat protection vital.

The life cycle of Olive Ridley turtles includes long migrations across ocean zones. Hatchlings drift with currents before foraging near islands between India and Sri Lanka. They return to their birth shores after about 13-14 years to nest.

Key nesting sites in Tamil Nadu include Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Velankanni, with some turtles migrating as far as Odisha. Notably, external conditions, including temperature, influence every stage of a turtle’s life. Warmer climate can skew hatchling gender ratios, leading to fewer male turtles and potential long-term population issues.

Climate change poses further risks. Rising sea levels and severe storms threaten nesting beaches, making the establishment of climate-resilient hatcheries essential. These hatcheries, designed to shield nests from extreme heat and rain, play a critical role in ensuring the turtles’ survival.

Looking ahead, as this season breaks records, the Tamil Nadu government aims to replicate the successful Chennai-Cuddalore model across all coastal districts. The ultimate goal is to make Tamil Nadu a leader in sea turtle conservation in India.

For more information on turtle conservation efforts, you can explore resources from the Wildlife Institute of India.

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