Sea Turtle Project
Introduction
India’s coastal waters are home to five species of sea turtles—Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Loggerhead. Except for the Loggerhead, the remaining four species nest along the Indian mainland coast and island territories, particularly on the eastern coastline. These species are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides them the highest legal protection in India.
- Sea turtles are vital indicators of healthy marine ecosystems and also serve as a potential source of eco-tourism revenue for local coastal communities. However, their survival is increasingly threatened due to onshore and offshore pressures, both natural and anthropogenic.
Threats Faced by Sea Turtles in India
Onshore Threats
- The degradation of nesting beaches is a major concern. Natural causes include coastal erosion, shifting sand dunes, invasive species like Ipomoea, cyclones, and the broader effects of global warming and climate change. Human-induced threats, such as sand mining, Casuarina plantations, and coastal infrastructure development—including ports, jetties, resorts, and industries—have significantly reduced nesting grounds.
- Additionally, light pollution from urbanized coasts and marine debris, especially plastic waste, disrupt the nesting behavior of turtles. Nest predation by wild animals such as jackals and pigs, as well as feral and domestic dogs, also contributes to declining hatching success.
Offshore Threats
- At sea, turtles face fishing-related mortality, particularly due to bycatch in trawling and gill net operations along near-shore zones. Offshore oil exploration, vessel traffic, and oil spills contribute to habitat degradation and noise pollution. Water contamination from industrial discharge, sewage, and floating plastics leads to diseases such as fibropapillomatosis, characterized by tumor growth in turtles.
Sea Turtle Conservation Project (1999)
In recognition of these challenges, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in November 1999. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun was designated as the implementing agency.
The project is being implemented across 10 coastal states, with a special emphasis on Odisha, which supports one of the world’s largest nesting aggregations of Olive Ridley turtles, particularly at Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, and Devi River mouth.
Key achievements of the project include:
- Preparation of inventories and maps of breeding sites.
- Identification of nesting habitats and migratory routes.
- Development of national guidelines to reduce turtle mortality.
- Promotion of cooperative actions at the national and international level.
- Formulation of tourism management plans in turtle-sensitive areas.
- Capacity building through infrastructure and human resource development.
One of the most notable outcomes has been the use of satellite telemetry to track the migratory routes of Olive Ridley turtles. Additionally, the project has promoted the use of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in fishing trawlers, and sensitized fishermen and state governments to reduce accidental turtle deaths in nets.
National Marine Turtle Action Plan (2021–2026)
In 2021, the National Marine Turtle Action Plan (2021–26) was launched to institutionalize and strengthen long-term conservation efforts. The plan aims to protect marine turtles, their associated species, and habitats, thereby supporting a healthy marine ecosystem.
The major objectives of the action plan include:
- Reducing direct and indirect causes of marine turtle mortality.
- Protecting, conserving, and rehabilitating critical habitats.
- Enhancing research, monitoring, and information sharing.
- Promoting awareness and education regarding turtle conservation.
- Improving livelihoods of coastal communities by promoting sustainable ecotourism.
- Strengthening cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels.
- Enhancing law enforcement efforts to tackle poaching and illegal trade.