AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
AGONDA BEACH: Locals and tourists in Agonda were all smiles as the first turtle came ashore to lay 65 eggs early Saturday morning exactly 42 days later than the previous year.
The first turtle walked ashore on Christmas day in Morjim – two days earlier than previous year and laid 112 eggs.
“The feeling is similar to the one felt when a baby is born in our home. Despite the delay, we hope that we will cross the overall South Goa figure of 165 nesting of last season,” stated South Goa Range Forest officer (RFO) Rajesh Naik, who visited the site even as he was on leave.
The first nesting last year was reported on November 16, when a turtle laid 105 eggs. Our guard reported that a turtle came ashore on December 27 this year, and walked back without laying eggs and that could be because of the inclement weather,” Naik opined.
At Tembwada beach in Morjim, Pernem, the first turtle walked ashore to lay 112 eggs on Christmas day and the second the next day. The Conservator of Forests will disclose the number of eggs laid on December 26, informed Atmaram Gauns, RFO, North Goa.
Fifty-two sea turtles, according to the Forest Department, laid eggs in the 2022-2023 season and 69 turtles laid as many as 5,703 eggs during the 2023-24 season. Sixty-eight turtles laid 7,000 eggs only at Agonda beach last year.
“The same turtle, on an average, normally comes to nest at the same beach after two years. A lot of parameters need to be considered at sea, on shore and the various foraging sites. Hence, one cannot be sure when to expect turtles to come on shore,” reasons Nester Fernandes, Project Coordinator at the Coastal Conservation Foundation.
If the turtles were late in Agonda and early at Morjim, there seems to be no reason to worry.
“Turtles normally start nesting from September–October and end by April. Climate change is one reason for the change, but there is nothing really to worry about,” said Aditi Renake, PhD scholar on turtle nesting from Mumbai.
“The delay had us worried, but now it is a relief. Turtle nesting is special to all of us in this village. They are our family and we take pride that our beach has been chosen by turtles for nesting,” remarked Jayne Vaz.
“I have spoken to the hoteliers around and explained to them that they are the guardians of these turtles. They have agreed to switch off their lights after sunset and instead use red bulbs as indicators for their guests,” explained Naik as he and the turtle guards discuss the way forward.
“The high mast on the beach could keep turtles away ,” said American tourist Dave as he prepares to bathe in the sun.
“There are a few lights that hurt our own eyes and we have informed the Tourism Department of the same. They should resolve the problem,” stated a turtle guard on the condition of anonymity.
“This year the turtle nesting site has been shifted from behind the Agonda church due to sand erosion in that area. Sites are changed based on various factors that affect the sand’s consistency,” disclosed RFO Naik.
“With people of Agonda embracing their role of turtle gurus , half of our work is done,” Naik concluded.