In a record nesting of turtles for the 2023-24 season, thus far, 419 Olive Ridley turtles came ashore from Galgibaga in South Goa to Keri in the north till Easter Sunday.
Whilst the Forest Department record in Galgibaga indicates 214 nesting pits, Morjim reported 205.
“This is the period when hatchlings are released, but turtles are still coming ashore to lay their eggs,” stated turtle guard, Videet Mokhardkar, in Galgibaga.
“We have recorded 205 nestings so far, this season, and every nesting is a matter of pride because the numbers reflect our work, not just in protecting the eggs, but also in educating the locals,” said a happy Rajan in Morjim.
From among the 214 nestings in South Goa, Agonda beach itself, recorded 171 visits with a total of 2,094 eggs being laid. Turtle guards in Agonda released 1,416 hatchlings, reported 589 eggs still not hatched and 89 deaths.
“This is the first time that so many turtles were reported to have walked ashore to lay their eggs in Agonda. Normally, such a thing happens in Galgibaga, but there is a change in pattern,” reflected turtle guard, Tukaram Metri, in Galgibaga.
“There is a study that hatchlings released, tend to return to the place where they were nested, and this could explain the increase in the number of nestings in Agonda,” explains turtle guard, Sukesh Pagi, in Agonda.
The enclosures created to store the eggs in Agonda are small, and in places where boards are placed to indicate the presence of eggs, twigs can be seen due to the paucity of material.
In comparison, there are 40 nesting pits in Galgibaga, with a total of 3,850 eggs laid. In all, 737 hatchlings have been released from Galgibaga and 24 have been reported dead while 176 are yet to hatch.
Records at Galgibaga indicate that one turtle laid 154 eggs in Agonda, but only two incubated after a period of 48 days. Incubation of most varied between 45 to around 50 plus days.
There are no shacks within the proximity of the nesting site, in Galgibaga, with the footfall of tourists much less in comparison to the other two nesting sites in Goa.
One restaurant could be seen behind the Department of Forest structure, and there were two shacks a distance away.
The Forest Department has built a structure that is expected to educate tourists and locals about the habitat of Olive Ridley turtles that visit the beach, and how they are supposed to be cared for.
Unlike in North Goa, the office in Galgibaga is equipped with computers, wherein all records are stored and shared.
“There have been occasions when groups of people would come and play loud music. That is when we ask them to lower the volume and they always obey. We hardly have problems with loud music here,” confessed turtle guard, Metri.
Records in Galgibaga indicate three unreported pits with a total of 281 eggs laid, from which 210 hatchlings were released and 20 did not make it.
“Losing is natural. As guards, we do our best to allow the eggs to incubate in the best environment. The rest is up to nature,” says Rajesh Naik, Range Forest Office (RFO), whilst explaining the 133 deaths reported so far.
