Over 170 Olive Ridley hatchlings released into the sea

Collector releases over 170 Olive Ridley hatchlings into the sea, highlighting conservation efforts in Thoothukudi district.

Collector K. Elambahavath released more than 170 Olive Ridley hatchlings into the sea at Manappad beach on Friday.

Addressing the media, the Collector said, “In Thoothukudi district, the eggs of the Olive Ridley turtle are collected and safely incubated in hatcheries. Now, the eggs have started hatching, and we are releasing the hatchlings into the sea along in the presence of school students under the supervision of Forest Department officials.”

He explained that these turtles return to the same coastal area every year to lay their eggs. “It is a fascinating natural phenomenon that the hatchlings released today will return to this same beach in the future to nest,” he added.

Mr. Elambahavath emphasised that a total of 1,940 eggs were collected from 18 nesting sites along the Manappad and Kulasekarapattinam coastline. These eggs were incubated in three hatcheries and so far over 170 hatchlings have been released into the sea.

The Collector also presented a cash reward of ₹5,000 each to four fishermen from Tharuvaikulam, Kulasekarapattinam, Veerapandianpattinam and Manappad for their efforts in rescuing turtles caught in fishing nets and safely releasing them back into the sea.

District Forest Officer Revti Raman, Additional Collector (Development) R. Ishwarya, along with other officials and school students were present.