In March 2025, an incredible spectacle unfolded in Rushikulya, Odisha, as hundreds of thousands of olive ridley sea turtles surged ashore in a breathtaking 'arribada', a mass nesting event that ranks among the largest wildlife spectacles on Earth. The event has drawn attention to the marine turtles and their lives. Now, a new report, detailing 16 years of dedicated research and conservation efforts, brings both good news and crucial warnings about these ancient mariners in India.
The study, spearheaded by the Dakshin Foundation and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, in collaboration with state forest departments, provides a deep dive into the lives of India's sea turtle populations across the mainland and island territories. Sea turtles, with their long lifespans and epic migrations, are vital indicators of ocean health. Tracking their populations over decades is crucial to understanding how they are faring in a rapidly changing world.
The report's findings offer a wave of optimism regarding olive ridley turtles in Odisha. Rushikulya, along with Gahirmatha, stands as one of the world's most significant nesting sites for this species, rivaled only by rookeries in Central America. The recent arribada, estimated at a staggering 400,000 to 500,000 turtles, underscores this importance. Long-term monitoring reveals a remarkable story: nest counts in Rushikulya have surged from 25,000 – 50,000 per season in the early 2000s to over 150,000 in the last decade, and even exceeding 400,000 in some years. This robust nesting activity suggests a stable, or even growing, olive ridley population in the region, a testament to conservation efforts.
However, the report also sounds a note of caution. Climate change is casting a shadow over these nesting beaches. Rising sand temperatures are skewing hatchling sex ratios towards females. Professor Kartik Shanker of IISc and Dakshin Foundation explains, "The overall trend from nearly two decades of monitoring is that the ridley population is stable or increasing." He adds, "Nevertheless, we must remain wary of threats to both coastal and oceanic habitats." This female-biased sex ratio, if persistent, could have implications for the long-term health and viability of the population.
Beyond Odisha's olive ridleys, the report sheds light on other turtle species across India's diverse coastlines. In the Andaman Islands, leatherback turtles, among the largest sea turtles in the world, are showing signs of resilience. Nesting numbers in Little Andaman Island have steadily climbed since the devastating 2004 tsunami. Remarkably, tracking studies reveal these leatherbacks undertake incredible journeys across the Indian Ocean, some venturing as far as Madagascar and Mozambique, while others swim towards Western Australia.
Meanwhile, in the Lakshadweep Islands, a different kind of challenge is emerging. Green turtle populations are expanding, but this growth has unexpected ecological consequences. Increased grazing by these herbivores leads to declining vital seagrass meadows within the lagoons. This, in turn, is impacting bait fish populations, creating potential conflict with local fishing communities that rely on these fish. Dakshin Foundation is now focusing on understanding the movements of these green turtles to better manage this emerging human-wildlife interaction.
The report emphasises that despite the positive trends in some areas, sea turtles across India continue to face a barrage of threats. Coastal development, pollution, and climate change remain major concerns. Crucially, sea turtle habitats often overlap with substantial fishing grounds, highlighting the need for integrated solutions that consider marine life and coastal livelihoods.
One of the most significant takeaways from this long-term study is the vital role of local communities in sea turtle conservation. The report underscores that fishers and coastal residents are primary stakeholders in protecting these ancient creatures. Collaborative efforts between these communities, researchers, and policymakers are essential for crafting sustainable conservation strategies that benefit marine biodiversity and the well-being of people who depend on the ocean.
This new report provides a valuable roadmap for the future of sea turtle conservation in India. It celebrates the successes of long-term monitoring and community engagement, while also highlighting the emerging challenges that demand our attention. As we witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of mass nesting on Indian shores, it's clear that continued vigilance, research, and collaborative action are crucial to ensuring these magnificent marine turtles thrive for generations to come.
This article is based on a Press Release by Dakshin Foundation
For more information, contact: Kartik Shanker (kshanker@gmail.com), Vidisha Kulkarni (vidisha@dakshin.org)
This research article was written with the help of generative AI and edited by an editor at Research Matters.