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Study on Olive Ridley Turtle
Context:
A comprehensive 16-year assessment of India’s turtle populations has found that Olive Ridley numbers remain stable or are increasing.
The Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species, named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell. Despite its abundance, it faces significant threats and is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
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- However, the study also warns that rising sand temperatures due to climate change are resulting in a disproportionately high number of female hatchlings, raising concerns about the species’ long-term viability.
- The study, conducted between 2008 and 2024, was led by the Dakshin Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and multiple State forest departments.
- It provides crucial insights into population trends, conservation challenges, and threats faced by sea turtles along India’s mainland and island coasts.
- In addition to the Olive Ridley, the study also examined other marine turtle species found in Indian waters, such as the leatherback turtles of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Green Turtles of the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Importance of Long-Term Monitoring
- Sea Turtles: Sea turtles are long-lived, late-maturing, and highly migratory, with population changes occurring over extended periods.
- Long-term monitoring is, therefore, critical to understanding environmental impacts and population dynamics.
- Arribada: One of the most remarkable natural events involving Olive Ridley turtles is the ‘arribada’ or mass nesting, in which tens or hundreds of thousands of females simultaneously come ashore to lay eggs.
- Odisha’s Gahirmatha and Rushikulya beaches host some of the world’s largest rookeries, with comparable sites found only in Mexico and Costa Rica.
- This year, Rushikulya saw one of its largest arribadas in recent memory, with an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 turtles nesting in just a few days.
- The sheer density of turtles left little room for movement along parts of the beach.
Leatherback and Green Turtle Migration Trends
- Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, leatherback turtle nesting has steadily increased in Little Andaman Island.
- Telemetry studies tracking their migratory movements between 2011 and 2014 revealed that some individuals traveled as far west as Madagascar and Mozambique, while others ventured eastward to Western Australia.
- Meanwhile, the Lakshadweep Islands have witnessed an expansion in the Green Turtle population.
- However, this growth has led to unexpected ecological consequences, particularly the overgrazing of seagrass meadows, an essential marine habitat.
Conservation Challenges and the Role of Local Communities
- Despite stable population trends, sea turtles in India continue to face significant threats from coastal development, pollution, and climate change.
- Many foraging and breeding sites overlap with key fishing areas, impacting both marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.
- An accompanying press statement emphasised the importance of engaging coastal communities in conservation efforts.
As conservationists continue to monitor India’s turtle populations, integrating community-driven initiatives with scientific research remains essential in securing a future for these iconic marine species.
