Nearly 4 lakh Olive Ridley Hatchlings Released Along North Andhra Coast

VISAKHAPATNAM: Nearly four lakh Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were released into the Bay of Bengal along the north Andhra coast during the 2024–25 nesting season, underscoring the scale of conservation efforts undertaken by the forest department and its partners.

During the season, 3,98,647 hatchlings were released across the north coastal districts. The Visakhapatnam Region forest circle—covering Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle districts recorded 3,933 nestings. A total of 4,37,817 eggs were collected and protected in 31 hatcheries, with 98 protection watchers deployed to safeguard the nests.

Statewide, 6,662 nests were identified during the 2024–25 season, yielding 6,89,157 eggs. These were protected in 73 hatcheries with the support of 247 watchers, resulting in the successful release of 6,02,374 hatchlings into the sea.

The new nesting season has already begun, with Srikakulam district reporting five nestings so far. From these, 451 eggs were collected, and 15 hatchlings have already been released. At present, Srikakulam has 16 hatcheries managed by 48 watchers; Vizianagaram has 10 hatcheries with 25 watchers; Visakhapatnam division has four hatcheries with 20 watchers; and Anakapalle has one hatchery staffed by five watchers.

Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, enjoy the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Andhra Pradesh’s 344-km coastline serves as an important sporadic nesting ground along the species’ migratory route, complementing the major rookeries in Odisha.

Srikakulam, with a 193-km coastline, remains a major nesting hotspot, particularly in villages such as Pathadibalapallem, Vajrapukotturu, Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapadu. Nesting has also been recorded along Vizianagaram’s 28-km coast and across Visakhapatnam’s beaches, including R.K. Beach and Sagarnagar, while Anakapalle’s 53-km coastline covers stretches at Pudimadaka, Parawada and Atchutapuram.

Chief Conservator of Forests (Visakhapatnam Circle) B.M. Diwan Mydeen said bycatch in fishing operations continues to be the most serious threat, with turtles often getting entangled in trawl, gill and ghost nets. Predation, coastal development, artificial lighting, marine pollution and climate change also pose significant challenges.

He said protection watchers form the backbone of the conservation programme and stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving the Forest Department, Marine Police, Coast Guard, Fisheries Department, NGOs and corporate partners. “The release of hundreds of thousands of hatchlings is a strong reminder of what sustained and collective conservation efforts can achieve,” he said.

Olive Ridley Conservation | AP Coast (2024–25)

Hatchlings released (North Andhra): 3,98,647

Hatchlings released (Statewide): 6,02,374

Nests recorded (North Andhra): 3,933

Nests recorded (Statewide): 6,662

Eggs collected (North Andhra): 4,37,817

Eggs collected (Statewide): 6,89,157

Hatcheries (North Andhra): 31

Hatcheries (Statewide): 73

Protection watchers (North Andhra): 98

Protection watchers (Statewide): 247

District-wise Snapshot (North Andhra)

Srikakulam: 16 hatcheries | 48 watchers | 193 km coast

Vizianagaram: 10 hatcheries | 25 watchers | 28 km coast

Visakhapatnam: 4 hatcheries | 20 watchers

Anakapalle: 1 hatchery | 5 watchers | 53 km coast