The Government of India - UNDP Sea Turtle Project is a national sea turtle conservation project led by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun coordinating the project's various sub-programs. The project, which began in late 1999, includes extensive surveys along the coast, legislative and community-based conservation reviews, education and awareness, GIS studies of key nesting areas, TED demonstrations and implementation, and training for wildlife and fisheries managers and field biologists. In this article, we will discuss the Sea Turtle Project which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Turtles in India

• Leatherback turtle (Dermicherlus coriacea)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eritmocheilus imbricate)
• Loggerhead turtle (Caretta)
• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidocheilus olivaceae)

What is the need to protect Sea Turtles?

• Sea turtles are incredible and beautiful creatures, but few people realize how large they can grow.
• Some can grow to be three meters long and weigh up to 750 kilograms, and many have stunningly beautiful shells.
• However, this is where the problem for many turtle species lies: they are being poached for their shells to the point of extinction.
• This, along with the frequent destruction of their natural habitats, is why sea turtle conservation is so critical.
• In light of this, the importance of turtle conservation efforts cannot be overstated, because if we want to ensure the future of these marine animals, we must act now.
• The Kemp Ridley is the most endangered sea turtle species, with numbers plummeting dramatically since the 1940s, when 100,000 were filmed nesting in one location.
• Almost all sea turtle species are now endangered, with three of the seven remaining species critically endangered.

What is the Sea Turtle Project?

• Every winter, a significant proportion of the world's Olive Ridley Turtle population migrates to Indian coastal waters to nest, primarily along the eastern coast.
• With the goal of conserving olive ridley turtles and other endangered marine turtles, the Ministry of Environment and Forests launched the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in November 1999 in collaboration with UNDP, with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun serving as the implementing agency.
• The project is being carried out in ten coastal states of the country, with a particular emphasis on the state of Orissa.
• This project establishes guidelines for development activities in the area, with the goal of securing turtle breeding areas and protecting them from other types of disruptions.
• Furthermore, it provides funds for project development and monitoring. The satellite method is used to examine the nesting area of Olive Ridley Turtles.
• The project assisted in the preparation of the following:
  • an inventory map of sea turtle breeding sites,
  • identification of nesting and breeding habitats along the shoreline, and migratory routes taken by sea turtles,
  • development of guidelines to safeguard and minimize turtle mortality,
  • development of national and international cooperative and collaborative action for sea turtle conservation,
  • development of guideline plans for tourism in sea turtle areas, and
  • development of infrastructure and habitat.
• One of the significant achievements has been the demonstration of the use of Satellite Telemetry to locate the migratory route of Olive Ridley Turtles in the sea, as well as sensitising fishermen and the State Government to the use of Turtle Exclusion Devices (TED) in fishing trawlers to reduce turtle mortality in fishing nets.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

• Olive ridley turtles are the world's smallest and most numerous sea turtles.
• These carnivorous turtles are named after their olive-colored carapace.

Protection Status

Habitat

• They can be found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
• The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha is home to the world's largest sea turtle rookery (colony of breeding animals).

Threats

• Pollution and waste in the seas
• Human Consumption: They are extensively poached for their meat, shell and leather, and eggs.
• Plastic Garbage: An ever-increasing debris of plastics, fishing nets, discarded nets, polythene, and other garbage dumped by tourists and fishing workers.
• Trawlers: Overexploitation of marine resources by trawlers frequently violates the rule of not fishing within 20 kilometers of a marine sanctuary.
• Many of the dead turtles had injury marks, indicating that they had been caught in trawls or gill nets.

Threats to Sea Turtle

• Sea turtles are protected in India under Schedule I Part II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• Despite this legal protection, they face grave threats.
• Bycatch - Every year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles become entangled in fishing nets and die as a result.
• Overharvesting – Because there is still a high demand for turtle egg soup, thousands of hatchlings are killed each year to feed the trade.
• Climate Change - Sea turtles are extremely sensitive to even minor changes in water temperature, which has impacted the breeding cycle.

Efforts To Protect Sea Turtles in India

• The Indian Constitution makes provision for the responsibility of animal conservation. There are also laws that protect biodiversity as a whole, such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the Biodiversity Act of 2002. However, there are some projects in India that are specifically for sea turtles.
• Sea Turtle Project: The sea turtle project began in 1999 at the Indian Institute of Wildlife, Dehradun, with the collaboration of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) and India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• This project establishes guidelines for development activities in the area, with the goal of securing turtle breeding areas and protecting them from other types of disruptions.
• National Sea Turtle Action Plan: It includes recommendations for promoting the inter-regional project and establishing coordination between the Central Government, State Governments, and Civil Society.
• The goal of this action plan is to increase collective participation and identify critical turtle conservation sites in the Indian subcontinent. It will identify all of the factors and activities that endanger sea turtles.
• Other efforts include
• The Government of Odisha initiated the sea turtle conservation scheme in Bhitarkanika Sanctuary in 1975.
• In 2002, an organization called Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra launched the Turtle Conservation Scheme, which releases some newborn turtles every year by hosting the Konkan Turtle Festival.

World Sea Turtle Day

• It is observed every year on June 16th, with the goal of saving this aquatic species from extinction. It emphasizes the importance of sea turtles in the marine ecosystem.
• Sea turtles are keystone species in the ocean. Their existence is vital to the environment and has an impact on other species.
• If these species are removed, the natural habitat will suffer, affecting other wildlife and fauna in a different way.
• It commemorates and coincides with the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, the Father of Sea Turtle Biology and the founder of the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Conclusion

India's coastal seas are home to five of the seven sea turtle species. Olive Ridley is a common species among these. The east coast of India has the highest concentration of Olive Ridley turtles in the world. As a result, India bears responsibility for its protection, which has been handled more effectively by the Government of India, state governments, and civil society. This demonstrates India's dedication to animal conservation.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which species of sea turtle is most commonly associated with the mass nesting event known as Arribada?

A) Loggerhead Turtle
B) Hawksbill Turtle
C) Olive Ridley Turtle
D) Leatherback Turtle

2. What is the primary purpose of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)?

A) Protect coral reefs
B) Exclude fish from nets
C) Allow turtles to escape from fishing nets
D) Detect illegal fishing activities

3. In which Indian state is the Olive Ridley mass nesting site of Gahirmatha located?

A) Tamil Nadu
B) Kerala
C) Odisha
D) Maharashtra

4. Which of the following is a major threat to sea turtle populations in India?

A) Overfishing
B) Urban pollution
C) Accidental capture in fishing nets
D) Deforestation

5. What is the primary reason for the declining sea turtle population due to climate change?

A) Overheating of the oceans
B) Rising sea levels affecting nesting sites
C) Increased predator populations
D) Changes in ocean currents

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Sea Turtle Project in the context of marine biodiversity conservation in India.

Answer: The Sea Turtle Project is crucial for conserving marine biodiversity in India, as sea turtles play a key role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. By protecting nesting sites, regulating fishing activities, and involving local communities, the project not only aids in the survival of endangered sea turtle species but also fosters a broader awareness of the need to conserve marine life. The project’s collaboration with international organizations further strengthens its impact, helping to mitigate threats such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change.

Q2: Analyze the role of community participation in the success of sea turtle conservation efforts in India.

Answer: Community participation is a cornerstone of successful conservation efforts for sea turtles in India. By engaging local fishing communities in the protection of nesting sites, the Sea Turtle Project ensures that conservation initiatives are sustainable. Locals are trained to monitor nests, protect eggs, and reduce accidental turtle captures. The promotion of eco-tourism also provides economic incentives for local communities, encouraging them to protect rather than exploit sea turtles. This collaborative approach has proven to be effective in reducing poaching and enhancing the survival rates of sea turtles.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of climate change on sea turtle conservation efforts in India.

Answer: Climate change poses a significant challenge to sea turtle conservation efforts in India. Rising sea levels threaten nesting beaches, while changes in temperature can alter hatchling sex ratios, as warmer temperatures tend to produce more females. Additionally, altered ocean currents and increased storm frequency can disrupt sea turtles’ migratory patterns and nesting behaviors. To mitigate these impacts, conservation strategies need to focus on habitat restoration, protection of nesting beaches, and raising awareness about the broader effects of climate change on marine biodiversity.

Previous Year Questions on Sea Turtle Project

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: Which of the following is a major nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles in India?
A) Gulf of Kutch
B) Sunderbans
C) Gahirmatha Beach
D) Lakshadweep

Answer: C

Explanation: Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha is one of the most significant nesting sites for Olive Ridley Turtles in the world, where mass nesting occurs annually.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 3)

Question: How do international conservation efforts complement India’s national programs like the Sea Turtle Project in protecting endangered marine species?

Answer: International conservation efforts complement India’s national programs by facilitating knowledge exchange, providing financial resources, and promoting coordinated efforts to protect migratory species. India’s participation in global agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) helps in the protection of species like sea turtles, which travel across national boundaries. International collaboration also assists in scientific research, satellite tracking, and the enforcement of conservation laws, making efforts like the Sea Turtle Project more effective.