Hatchlings of Olive Ridley tortoises on Thotappally Coast (File Pic). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Despite the demanding conditions of the Olive Ridley turtles during the 2024-25 nesting season, they released on the coast of Alappuzhy, albeit in small numbers.
According to turtles, four nests containing more than 500 eggs were discovered between ThotAppalply and Alappuzha. Of these, two were found in Thotappall and one in PunnaPra and Alappuzha. “The official nesting season has just closed. Of the four nests, eggs from the clutch found in PunnaPra have already hatched and last week 109 hatchling were released into the sea. The remaining three conjunctions are still in the incubation phase,” says Saji Jayamohan, a secretary of nature.
Last year, nature recorded three nests and successfully released 350 hatchling. In the years 2022-23, a record 21 nest was found, containing over 2,000 eggs, with more than 1200 hatcheries that got to the sea.
Although Olive Ridleys continues to nest along the coast, nature conservationists have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating ecology of the region. They point to the mining of mineral sand at Thotappally and other human -induced environmental threats as the main risks to the turtle nesting habitat.
Shoreline from Thotappall to Palllan has long been considered a natural nesting ground for Olive Ridleys, a species protected under the 1972 wild animal protection Act.
“The 3 km section between Thotappall and Pallan is the main nesting point in the ALAPPUZHA district. But this habitat will quickly disappear due to mining operations and marine erosion. With the exception of 800 meters, the rest of the nesting coast almost disappeared.
In Thottappaly Harbor and Poshi are two places of mining of mineral sand, which the government describes as “maintenance” and “determination”. As in previous years, sand mining at Thotappally stopped after the contract a few months ago after the contract. However, it is expected that the government will restore the agreement on sand mining before the upcoming monsoon season.
Meanwhile, nature plans to introduce a portable hatchery next season to improve the chances of surviving eggs Olive Ridley.
Published – April 6, 2025 17:19
