Vengurla’s Turtle Fest showcases conservation efforts by locals

Keri: Around 43-km from Pernem in Goa, at Wayangani in Maharashtra’s Vengurla taluka, several visitors, including Goans, witnessed the hatching of Olive Ridley turtle eggs and later watched as the newborns gradually crawled into the sea to begin their journey.

The Sawantwadi forest division offered visitors this surreal experience at its annual two-day Turtle Festival, which was held on March 25 and 26.

The festival is held with the aim of creating awareness about the ecological significance of turtles and to emphasise how local communities are helping in conservation efforts by adopting a sustainable eco-tourism model.

“The villagers of Wayangani have displayed an excellent example of Olive Ridley turtle conservation and protection with the help of the forest department,” said District collector for Sindhudurg, K Manjulekshmi. In Sawantwadi, the administration will emphasise the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, she said.

“During February and March, turtles come to the Wayangani coast to lay eggs. A large number of these eggs were either being eaten by predators or destroyed due to anthropogenic activities. However, with the participation of local communities, the survival rate of turtle hatchlings has greatly increased,” said deputy conservator of forests, Sawantwadi, S N Reddy.

Suhas Toraskar, 57, who is actively involved in the turtle conservation effort, told TOI: “We have been involved in turtle conservation since 1993. Our villagers, who are involved in fishing, voluntarily support the natural breeding process of these turtles. We have achieved success in protecting the turtles, which have been visiting our village for ages, and we consider it our duty to respect their existence.”

A Dashavatari folk drama was also performed during the festival, highlighting the mythological incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a turtle, in his Kurmavatar.

A replica of the Olive Ridley Turtle made from the sand by artist Raviraj Chipkar also won the appreciation of visitors.

“The beaches in Pernem and Canacona are known for Olive Ridley turtle nesting. However, no such efforts are being promoted in Goa for sustainable eco-tourism,” said Sanish Avakhale from Sanquelim, who was present at the festival.


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