Carcasses of six turtles reportedly washed up on Visakhapatnam beaches since January; pollution from industries is also cited among the reasons for the animal deaths

The shores of Visakhapatnam are witnessing a distressing scene as the carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles continue to wash up, marking a somber trend in this breeding season.

Visitors and environmentalists alike are deeply concerned about the toll that trawling activities and industrial pollution are taking on these endangered creatures.

P. Mohan Krishna, a beachgoer from Tirupati, expressed his dismay at the sight of an Olive Ridley carcass during his recent visit to Sagar Nagar beach.

"As someone who cherishes our coastal environments, it's heartbreaking to witness the impact of human activities on these turtles," he stated.

Reports of dead turtles are not confined to one beach; they are being discovered along various stretches of the coastline.

In response, the Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department has initiated measures to protect these turtles, including the establishment of artificial hatcheries at strategic locations across the city.

Anant Shankar, the Visakhapatnam district Forest Officer, acknowledged the challenge of protecting these vulnerable creatures in the face of trawling activities.

"We are actively engaging with the fishing community and conducting awareness campaigns to safeguard the turtles during their critical breeding season," he stated.

The conservation efforts come with a significant financial investment, with the department estimating an expenditure of ₹40-50 lakh for activities such as building hatcheries and releasing hatchlings.

Despite the challenges, officials remain optimistic about the prospects of nurturing and protecting these remarkable creatures.

As the breeding season progresses, the Forest Department anticipates the arrival of mother turtles to lay their eggs along the coastline, underscoring the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to safeguard their habitat.