Godavari, Krishna estuaries provide a safe ground

The wildlife administration authorities in Krishna and Godavari estuaries have ready the ground for safe nesting of Olive Ridley turtles (lepidochelys olivacea) that arrive on the Andhra coast for annual breeding within the winter.

The turtle eggs are being conserved in ‘in-situ’ technique (in pure habitats) within the Godavari estuary and ‘ex-situ’ technique (exterior pure habitats) within the Krishna estuary with the involvement of fisherfolk and Yanadi tribe folks.

The 25 km coastal stretch between Hope Island and Sacramento Island within the Godavari estuary on the Kakinada coast stays a safe habitat for the turtles, and their eggs are protected by the wildlife administration workers and native fisherfolk.

A serious a part of the breeding ground falls within the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem.

“A whopping 70,000 hatchlings were released into the sea during the last breeding season on the Kakinada coast. At least 15 breeding sites have been identified along the coastline between Hope Island and Sacramento Island for conservation of the turtle eggs this season,” Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife-Rajamahendravaram) C. Selvan tells The Puucho.

“The field survey has been completed, identifying the sites for deployment of local communities for conservation of the turtle eggs. The locals will constantly monitor the situation in vulnerable areas observing the arrival of turtles besides protecting the nesting sites,” says Mr. Selvan.

In Krishna estuary, the shoreline between the 2 confluence factors of the Krishna river into the ocean at Hamsaladeevi and Nagayalanka Lighthouse is the prime breeding ground for the turtles. The eggs are collected from the ground and conserved in rookeries. Last winter, almost 30,000 eggs had been collected and at the least 29,000 hatchlings had been launched into the ocean.

“We continue to prefer the ex-situ method of conservation of turtle eggs as wild boars and jackals remain the prime predators in the sanctuary. However, the Yanadi tribals monitor the breeding ground round the clock till the hatchlings are released into the sea,” she explains.

The arrival of Olive Ridley turtles within the Krishna estuary is anticipated to be delayed this yr as the traditional circumstances within the breeding grounds have been disturbed as a result of latest flood within the Krishna river.