Newsletter- Environment

CONTEXT OF THE NEWS

Around 20,000 Olive Ridley turtle eggs have been successfully conserved at Hope Island (Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh) using the in-situ conservation method, ensuring safe nesting and protection.

BACKGROUND

Olive Ridley turtles are vital to:
- Marine biodiversity conservation (GS Paper 3)
Frequently asked in:
- Prelims (species, locations, protection status)
India is a major nesting ground globally

NEWS BREAKDOWN

What is In-situ Conservation?

In-situ Conservation: Protection of species within their natural habitat.

Ensures:
- Natural breeding conditions
- Ecosystem balance
Example:
- Protection of turtle eggs at nesting beaches

ABOUT OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES (ORTs)

Basic Features

Smallest sea turtles
Distinctive:
- Heart-shaped, olive-green carapace

Habitat & Distribution

Found in:
- Pacific Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
Habitat:
- Open ocean + coastal waters

Diet & Behavior

Omnivorous:
- Jellyfish
- Crabs
- Snails
- Algae

Migration Pattern

Travel:
- From Pacific → Indian Ocean
Reach Indian coast:
- November–December
Stay till:
- April–May

ARRIBADA: UNIQUE NESTING PHENOMENON

Arribada: Mass nesting where thousands of turtles come ashore simultaneously.

Key Features

Occurs on:
- Narrow sandy beaches
Each female lays:
- 100–140 eggs

Major Nesting Sites in India

Location	State
Gahirmatha	Odisha (Largest rookery)
Rushikulya	Odisha
Devi River Mouth	Odisha
Kakinada & Visakhapatnam	Andhra Pradesh
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	UT

PROTECTION STATUS

Convention / Law	Status
IUCN Red List	Vulnerable
CITES	Appendix I
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972	Schedule I

CONSERVATION MEASURES

1. Operation Olivia

By:
- Indian Coast Guard
Purpose:
- Enforce fishing restrictions during nesting season

2. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)

TEDs: Special devices in fishing nets allowing turtles to escape.

Mandatory in:
- Odisha

3. Tagging Programs

Helps:
- Track migration routes
- Study behavior

4. In-situ Egg Protection

Example:
- Hope Island initiative
Protects eggs from:
- Predators
- Human disturbance

MAJOR THREATS

1. Bycatch (BIGGEST THREAT)

Accidental capture in:
- Trawl nets
- Gill nets

2. Illegal Poaching

For:
- Eggs
- Meat

3. Habitat Disturbance

Coastal development
Tourism pressure

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Maintain:
- Marine food chain balance
Control:
- Jellyfish population
Indicator of:
- Healthy marine ecosystems

PRELIMS FOCUS

Olive Ridley = Vulnerable (IUCN)
Arribada = Mass nesting
Largest rookery = Gahirmatha (Odisha)
TEDs = Turtle escape devices
Operation Olivia = Coast Guard initiative
In-situ = Conservation in natural habitat

CONCLUSION

Strengthening habitat protection, regulating fishing practices, and community participation are essential to ensure long-term survival of Olive Ridley turtles.

PRELIMS CHECK

Question 1

Consider the following statements:

Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtles.
They exhibit mass nesting known as arribada.
They are listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 2

With reference to conservation of sea turtles in India, consider the following:

Operation Olivia is implemented by the Indian Navy.
Turtle Excluder Devices help reduce bycatch.
All sea turtles are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 3

Consider the following pairs:

Term	Description
1. Arribada	Mass nesting of turtles
2. In-situ conservation	Conservation outside natural habitat
3. Bycatch	Accidental capture in fishing

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATION

Answer 1: (a) 1 and 2 only