In a heartening start to the New Year, it is learnt that two Olive Ridley turtles laid 193 eggs along the coastal area at Morjim. It may be recalled that a few days back another turtle had laid 98 eggs. The incubation period takes about 40-50 days, and after that, the hatchlings return back to the sea. It is pertinent to note that the beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda and Galgibag, where there are the turtle nesting sites, have been declared as ‘silence zones’ by the government.
The sites on the beaches have been designated as turtle nesting sites and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. In Goa Olive Ridley turtles have also set up nests along beaches such as the Vagator, Arambol in North Goa and Cavelossim in South Goa.
These turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act by The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It is learnt that in Goa there are violations galore on turtle nesting beaches. This needs to stop.
