Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 March 2025
The Nicobar Forest Division organized the first-ever Turtle Festival at B-Quarry Beach, Campbell Bay, on Thursday, with the theme “An Initiative Towards Conservation of Sea Turtles with People’s Participation from All Walks of Life.” The event aimed to raise awareness about the conservation of endangered sea turtles, particularly the Leatherback turtle.
The festival was attended by approximately 20 school students from GPS, Campbell Bay, accompanied by their teachers. Mr. E.S. Rajesh, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included Mr. Venkat Rao, Pradhan, GP Govind Nagar, and Mr. Vishnu, a researcher from the Wildlife Institute of India. The significance of the festival and its objectives were outlined by officials from the Nicobar Forest Division, including the Divisional Forest Officer and the Assistant Conservator of Forests.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest emphasised the need to protect the Leatherback turtle, a species that nests only on a few select beaches in Great Nicobar and Little Andaman within Indian territory. He assured full cooperation from the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and the local community in supporting the conservation efforts initiated by the Nicobar Forest Division.
A key highlight of the festival was the release of newly hatched sea turtles into the ocean. The attendees, especially the students, actively participated in releasing a total of 40 Leatherback turtle hatchlings and 200 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea. Their enthusiasm and involvement reflected the success of the event in fostering environmental awareness.
The efforts of the Forest Department were widely appreciated by the participants. According to the Divisional Forest Office, Campbell Bay, similar Turtle Festivals will be organized at various other beaches across Great Nicobar Island to further promote sea turtle conservation and encourage greater community participation in wildlife protection initiatives. (Story Based on PR)