Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 12: The number of endangered Olive Ridley turtles arriving to nest on North Goa's beaches fell by more than 50 per cent during the 2025-26 nesting season, prompting concern among conservationists, even as forest officials described the fluctuation as a natural trend.

Official data showed that 83 Olive Ridley turtles nested on eight beaches during the 2025-26 season, laying 8,991 eggs, compared to 175 turtles that nested on 10 beaches and laid 18,243 eggs during the previous season.

Environmental groups attributed the sharp decline to increasing human activity, including loud music, bright lights and illegal events on beaches during the nesting period, which they say can disturb turtles and prevent them from laying eggs.

However, Forest Department officials maintained that yearly variations in turtle arrivals are common.

"The curve of turtles arriving at beaches will not be the same every year. It may increase in one season and decline in another. The lower numbers cannot automatically be termed a decrease," Forest Ministry Advisor Sujeet Kumar Dongre said.

He added that multiple factors could influence turtle nesting patterns and that there was no scientific evidence linking the decline directly to noise pollution or beach activities.

Data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act revealed that only 11,005 hatchlings emerged from the 18,243 eggs laid during the 2024-25 season. Conservationists have questioned what happened to the remaining eggs, while the Forest Department has not yet disclosed hatchling figures for the latest season.

Wildlife activist Javish Moniz said complaints had been filed by Forest Department officials themselves regarding loud music and weddings being held on nesting beaches during the breeding season.

He alleged that turtles had returned to the sea without laying eggs on at least two occasions after being disturbed.

According to information from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), no permissions were granted for weddings or events at designated turtle nesting sites. However, officials acknowledged that monitoring illegal activities on beaches remains a challenge.

Among the nesting sites, Candolim was the only beach to record an increase, with six turtles laying 641 eggs, compared to four turtles and 466 eggs during the previous season.

Retired Captain Gerald Fernandes, a State award-winning conservationist known for his work in Olive Ridley turtle protection, called for greater transparency in turtle conservation data.

He questioned why the number of eggs laid in each nest at the Morjim hatchery was not displayed this year, unlike previous seasons.

Marine biologists note that Olive Ridley turtles do not nest every year and generally lay two to four clutches of 50 to 150 eggs every two to four years. Nevertheless, conservationists say the steep decline recorded this season warrants closer scientific investigation and stronger protection measures for nesting beaches.