Boulders prevent Olive Ridleys from laying eggs: Activists

Dhanushkodi and Rameswaram coastal areas are much-favoured egg-laying spots for Olive Ridley turtles in the Gulf of Mannar region. In the current egg-laying season, more than 10,000 eggs have been collected so far. 

Though the Forest Department is collecting the eggs and is storing them in artificial hatcheries to release the hatchlings back into the sea, the turtles face the problem in the form of boulders on the roadside. Because of the presence of the boulders, the turtles could not cross them and return to sea without laying eggs. 

Speaking to DT Next, Jones, marine ecology activist from Thoothukudi, said the debate of development versus nature is going on for a long time and in the name of development, insensitive officials damage the marine environment. 

Turtles hold the key in marine ecology and if their population is disturbed it will lead to destruction in marine resources, he said. There are only few egg-laying spots in Tamil Nadu and Dhanushkodi is one of them. 

Though favourable conditions prevail in Dhanushkodi, the egg-laying process is disturbed by the boulders and the government should take steps to remove such hindrances for turtles, said Jones.