Tamil Nadu fishermen rescue Olive Ridley turtles. IAS officer shares video

New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 4, 2024 22:29 IST

Fishermen in Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu, have once again demonstrated their commitment to the conservation of marine life. A video shared by IAS officer Supriya Sahu shows the rescue of ten Olive Ridley turtles that were accidentally caught in fishing nets.

The video, captured by IFS officer Jagdish S Bakan, highlights not just the act of rescue, but also the careful guidance provided by a volunteer from 'Kadal Osai', a local community radio station, on how to safely handle and release these vulnerable creatures back into their natural habitat.

This incident is part of a broader initiative under the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission aimed at expanding training and capacity-building programs across 35 local villages. The goal is to educate and empower fishermen and local communities on the importance of preserving marine biodiversity, particularly the Olive Ridley turtles.

“Another rescue of Ten Olive Ridley turtles at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu by fishermen. A volunteer from the local community from 'Kadal Osai' the Community Radio is guiding how to safely handle and release turtles. We are planning to expand the training and capacity building programme in 35 local villages under the TN coastal restoration Mission,” reads the caption by Supriya Sahu.

Take a look at the video:

The Olive Ridley turtle, listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and protected under Schedule – I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is known for its mass nesting behavior called 'arribada'. Odisha's coastlines are famous for this phenomenon, drawing attention from conservationists worldwide. However, incidents like these in Tamil Nadu highlight the challenges these turtles face across Indian shores, including accidental capture in fishing nets.