TN forest department to collaborate with NGOs for Olive Ridley turtle conservation

In order to encourage the civil society participation in Olive Ridley turtle breeding and conservation management, the Forest Department has opened its doors for a collaborative hand in hand approach

In order to encourage the civil society participation in Olive Ridley turtle breeding and conservation management, the Forest Department has opened its doors for a collaborative hand in hand approach with the non governmental organisations.

Olive Ridley turtle, one of the five species of marine turtles that visit Tamil Nadu coasts, also nests and lay eggs all along the coasts in Tamil Nadu. Over the years nesting territories have reduced due to urbanisation, land use change, increased human activities on land and in sea.

Turtle eggs are predated extensively by the dogs, raptors and by the humans. Several efforts have been made by the Forest department in the past to protect the turtles nests and breeding of hatchlings and their successful habilitation in the marine water, said Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Chief Wildlife Warden.