The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the third most significant biodiversity hotspot in India. With a coastline of 1962 kilometres and many beaches straddling small isolated islands, the region provides an ideal nesting habitat for primarily four species of marine turtles: the leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, green sea turtle and Olive Ridley turtle. All of these have been declared endangered by the IUCN. Jim Spotila, head of Marine Turtle Specialist Group Leatherback Task Force, an IUCN body, lists just three other colonies in the world with more than 1000 leatherbacks
Andaman & Nicobar turtles face extinction
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the third most significant biodiversity hotspot in India. With a coastline of 1962 kilometres and many beaches straddling small isolated islands, the region provides an ideal nesting habitat for primarily four species of marine turtles: the leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, green sea turtle and Olive Ridley turtle. All of these have been declared endangered by the iucn. Jim Spotila, head of Marine Turtle Specialist Group Leatherback Task Force, an iucn body, lists just three other colonies in the world with more than 1000 leatherbacks. This clearly indicates that the Great Nicobar island, in particular, and its adjoining island groups are critical for the long-term survival of this species. Interestingly these turtles travel thousands of miles across the globe, yet manage to find their way back to the same beach for nesting. Hatchlings born on a particular beach are believed to return to that very spot for nesting.
Activist bodies like anet are having to put up resistance at every level. Two of their three field stations have already been shut down. "Once you have infrastructure, you won't get what's called maintenance money -- not even money for salaries, etc. People will give money for research but not for maintenance," laments Andrews.
Somehow, they've managed to keep their field station afloat in Galathea. But without further support turtle conservation in the islands would suffer a serious setback. Moreover, these organisations and the government need to take initiatives to involve the local community to support the cause.
Sharbendu De is a travel and environment writer involved in turtle conservation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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