The beaches of southern India have turned into a heartbreaking sight, where over 1,100 sea turtles lie lifeless. This alarming phenomenon has captured the attention of the scientific and local community, intrigued by this unprecedented tragedy in the region. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the massive death of these majestic creatures raise many questions and highlight the acute environmental issues that these vulnerable marine animals face.
An alarming phenomenon on the beaches of India
January has been marked by a tragic event on the beaches of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, where over 1,100 sea turtles have been found dead. This is an unprecedented disaster for at least the last three decades, points out Kuppusamy Sivakumar, a professor of ecology at Pondicherry University. The beaches near the state capital, Chennai, have been particularly affected. Typically, between 100 and 150 olive ridley turtles come to nest on these shores each year, but this year’s figures are shocking. Local residents, such as Rajiv Rai, have observed their beaches strewn with turtle carcasses, alerting the authorities as the burial of these remains is delayed.
The causes and effects of this tragedy
The reasons behind this phenomenon are still unclear, but several theories have been proposed. A necropsy performed on the turtles reveals lung lesions and bulging eyes, signs of suffocation and drowning, according to environmental activist Yuvan Aves. The possibility that these turtles were trapped in fishing nets is considered, as the turtles need to breathe at the surface and may have become ensnared. Local laws, such as the ban on trawling within five nautical miles of the coast, are often not respected, adding to the anthropogenic pressure on the species.
The measures taken and the way forward
In response to this alarming situation, the Tamil Nadu government has acted by apprehending 24 trawlers that were illegally fishing in the waters off Chennai. A dedicated special task force has been established to monitor maritime activities in the region. Manish Meena, a wildlife ranger in Chennai, has also intensified nighttime patrols to protect the juvenile turtles. This tragic event highlights not only the need for better enforcement of existing laws but also the necessity to advocate more for the conservation of vulnerable species, such as olive ridley turtles, in already fragile ecosystems.
