MORJIM: Fifty turtles lay a total of over 5,000 eggs in 43 days on Morjim beach, leaving staff of Forest Department and shack owners around the place in a jubilant mood.
At the same time on the specific date of February 8, this year has seen a windfall and crossed the figure for the past two years
On February 8, 2023 26 turtles had laid eggs,” disclosed elated Rajan, one of the chief turtle guardians at Morjim. On Feb 8, 2022, 30 turtles had laid their eggs on the beach.
On Feb 8, 2024 (at the time of going to press), 50 eggs were laid
“This is the first time that so many turtles came on shore in a short span of time,” said Rajan.
The project that was started in 1997 by the Forest Department, according to Forest Guard Shivanand Gauns, is bearing fruit now. The first turtle walked towards the shore of Morjim on December 27 and laid 90 eggs.
“ Tembawada in Morjim is a frequently visited place by turtles because here the sea meets Chapora River and turtles tend to come back to the place they were nestled,” discloses Rajan.
“Today is a special day for us because of the misconception that shacks are deterrent to turtles,” quipped Denzil, who operates a shack in Mandrem where four nests are overseen.
There are four nests in Mandrem with the first one laid on February 4, the second on February 6 and the third and fourth on February 8.
“I love animals and I am happy that Rajan and friends have kept me as their eyes in Mandrem,” admits Denzil.
Last year, according to Rajan, 70,652 eggs were laid and 3,910 hatchlings were released.
“The rest died because the Conservation Forest officer (CFO) did not authorise the use of shade as protection from the sun in March,” confessed Rajan who has been with the project since inception.
“The officer concerned opted that the incubation be the natural way, not realising the effect of the hot sun on the beach. I hope we will be given permission to build a shade this year,” argues Rajan.
“Hatchlings establish a bond with the shore they are being released from and I am sure as time passes, the number of turtles opting for this beach will increase every year,” reasons Rajan who gave up his fishing business due to his inherent ties with marine life.
“Turtles, believes Rajan, “are not bothered of human presence if not disturbed. Laying eggs is a biological need and social settings are not a hindrance. NGOs tend to overreact,” claims Rajan.
The forest guards live at peace with the owners of shacks and guests visiting the beach but feel side tracked by officials of the department. “They first refused to give us nettings to barricade the eggs and now we don’t have sign boards to mark the nestings,” complaints Rajan as he shows the area.
“There are 20 boards here when there should be 50. We don’t have the funds to prepare more boards. Perhaps our higher ups think they are not important,” rues Rajan, as he strolled past the nesting sites.