Mumbai: Visitors to Kihim beach, north of Alibaug in Raigad district, on Friday evening, were treated to the beautiful sight of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerging from eggs laid in the sand. Local residents said that they have never seen an Olive Ridley hatching event on the beach in their lifetime.
The hatchlings were released into the sea late in the evening by personnel from the forest department.
Sumaira Abdulali of the environment campaign group Awaaz, who has a house in Kihim, said, "An Olive Ridley laid eggs last month and we have been waiting for them to hatch. When the hatchlings started emerging from the sand, somebody called me to see it. I was so excited. I have been coming to this beach for the last 60 years and have never heard of Olive Ridleys in Kihim."
Abdulali took a video of the wonderful sight. "I was so happy I was there," she added.
There are reportedly about 250 eggs on the beach, and more hatchlings were emerging from the eggs after the first batch was released into the sea.
Natural Phenomenon Attracts Visitors
Since Kihim is a popular beach, the natural phenomenon attracted visitors in large numbers. "The forest officers are here. They have been guarding it very well the whole time. And fenced off the area to keep them safe and protect them from dogs," Abdulali said.
About Olive Ridley Turtles
Olive Ridley turtles, so called because of their olive color, are classified as a vulnerable species, which indicates that their numbers are declining. This year, a record number of hatchlings have incubated along India's coast, from Odisha and Tamil Nadu on the east to Konkan in the west. The eggs that are laid under the sand take more than a month to hatch.
