Forest staff, TREE join hands to protect Olive Ridley eggs

Srikakulam: To protect the eggs of endangered Olive Ridley turtles from predators like wild boars, dogs and birds, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Indian Coast Guards, Marine Police, Education and Fisheries department are jointly providing assistance to the Trust for Environment, Education, Conservation and Community Development (TREE), an NGO working along the AP sea coast since 2008. Identifying the services of TREE, the forest officials also came forward to work with the TREE foundation.

In Srikakulam, the Olive Ridley turtle hatcheries are located in Kovvada, Kochcherla, Ganagallavanipeta, Gullavanipeta, Kunduvanipeta, Meghavaram, Dibbavanipeta, Vajrapukotturu, Geddavuru, Mattigalluru, Baruvapeta, Onturu, Kalingapatnam, Kalingapatnam, Mattivanipalem and Kapasukuddi villages. In Srikakulam coast, in total 164 Olive Ridleys laid 7,948 eggs in 24 hours and the TREE foundation members shifted the eggs to hatcheries.

Every year Olive Ridleys lays eggs from January to April and protection of these eggs is essential till they developed as chicks. “We are coordinating with all departments in protection of Olive Ridleys along the sea coast,” said TREE foundation coordinator K Someswara Rao. “Olive Ridleys are important living beings along the sea coast in protection of bio-diversity and we are cooperating with TREE foundation members whenever required,” said DFO Ch Shanthi Swaroop.