MAPUSA
The surge in Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting on Vagator beach over the past three years has sparked renewed calls to declare the beach a turtle conservation area.
Chairman of the Anjuna-Caisua Biodiversity Management Committee, Ramesh Naik has urged the Forest and Environment Departments and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to establish a turtle conservation centre at Vagator and designate the beach as a protected turtle nesting site.
He has also sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane to elevate the matter.
“Considering that Morjim and Agonda beaches have already been declared turtle conservation areas, Vagator beach, too, deserves this status. The number of Olive Ridley sea turtles coming to lay eggs here has significantly increased over the past three years,” Naik stated.
Rising nesting numbers
Citing Forest Department data, Naik highlighted the remarkable rise in turtle nesting activities:
2019-2022: Turtles laid eggs on Vagator beach four times.
2022-2023: A total of 364 eggs were laid across three nesting events, leading to the release of 173 hatchlings.
2024 (up to April 15): Seventeen nesting events resulted in 1,868 eggs being laid.
Naik attributed this growth to the absence of rave parties on the beach in recent years, which has created a conducive environment for the turtles to nest.
Conservation centre proposal
Naik argued that the establishment of a conservation centre at Vagator could reduce the need for similar initiatives at Morjim.
He emphasized the importance of banning rave parties and ensuring a turtle-friendly environment, calling on local and coastal police to enforce such measures.
“Vagator has become a significant nesting site. Protecting it will further enhance Goa’s reputation as a haven for these endangered creatures,” Naik added.
The Biodiversity Management Committee has formally submitted requests to the relevant authorities, advocating for immediate action.
Naik was joined by committee members Mariano Fernandes, Olivia Fernandes, Sanjay Narvekar, and Satyawan Harmalkar in making the appeal.
Local conservationists and environmentalists are now rallying around the proposal, hoping that Vagator will soon join Morjim and Agonda as a key conservation area for Olive Ridley sea turtles.
