668 turtle eggs collected in a single day

Dhanushkodi is one of the favourite egg-laying spots for olive ridley turtles and the season commences in December and ends in April. Every year, the Forest Department is involved in collection of eggs, their preservation in artificial hatcheries set up by the department and releasing the hatchlings in the sea. This time, the season commenced on December 17, 2017, with the collection of 128 eggs in Dhanushkodi and the first batch of 123 hatchlings was released in the sea on February 9. 

On Tuesday, Forest Department staff collected 668 eggs from six different locations between Muhuntharayarchathiram and Arichalmunai, in Dhanushkodi. Speaking to DT NEXT, S Sathish, Mandapam Forest Ranger, said that in the six locations, the number of eggs varied between 128 and 83. Also, this is the highest number of eggs collected in a single day this season, said Sathish. So far this year, 4,575 eggs have been collected. Also, 258 hatchlings were released in the Dhanushkodi sea and they were the second batch to be released this season, said Sathish. 

He further said the Dhanushkodi coast continues to provide a favourable egg-laying environment for olive ridley turtles and the Forest Department too continues to strive hard to preserve the eggs by setting up artificial hatcheries in nearby locations. Fishermen are provided continuous awareness about the importance of olive ridley turtles and their eggs, all for maintaining a favourable marine ecosystem, he said.