Unseasonal heavy rainfall has disrupted the crucial hatching period of olive ridley turtle eggs at Agonda beach in South Goa, sparking concern among conservationists and forest officials. The rainy weather has interfered with the warm and sunny conditions required for proper incubation, leaving the fate of 219 eggs in three remaining nests uncertain.
Despite this weather-related setback, Agonda’s conservation efforts have seen considerable success this season, with over 6,100 hatchlings released from a total of 14,483 eggs. At the nearby Galgibaga hatchery, 3,584 hatchlings were safely released from 4,603 eggs, further highlighting the region’s commitment to protecting these vulnerable marine species.
Goa’s 102-km-long coastline serves as a critical nesting habitat for olive ridley turtles, with major nesting sites including Agonda, Galgibaga, and Morjim beaches. The nesting season typically spans from November to April. Conservation strategies such as relocating eggs to safer hatcheries and conducting community awareness initiatives have played a key role in preserving turtle populations.
However, the growing frequency of unpredictable weather events underscores the urgent need for improved protective measures and adaptive conservation strategies to secure the long-term survival of these endangered marine turtles.