Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 March 2025
The Nicobar Forest Division, Department of Environment and Forests, organized an awareness programme recently at Anderson Bay Beach, Joginder Nagar, as part of the ongoing Turtle Festival. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of turtle conservation and encourage participation from people across all walks of life.
The Turtle Festival, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, was launched to promote public involvement in the protection of sea turtles. During the event, attendees were briefed on the significance of turtle conservation and the various activities undertaken by the Department to protect these endangered marine creatures.
The programme witnessed participation from representatives of Laxmi Nagar Panchayat, PHC Campbell Bay, APWD and local residents of Joginder village. Additionally, about ten students and ten teachers from Govt. SSS Vijay Nagar, joined the event, enhancing the spirit of community engagement.
A highlight of the programme was the opportunity provided to the students and participants to release fresh hatchlings of Olive Ridley sea turtles into the sea. The attendees enthusiastically took part in this memorable activity, releasing approximately 600 hatchlings, symbolising a hopeful step toward the survival of these vulnerable species.
The participants, especially the students, expressed immense delight and a sense of fulfillment in being part of this unique conservation effort. The Turtle Festival not only created awareness about marine life protection but also inspired the local community to contribute toward preserving the fragile marine ecosystem of the islands. (Story Based on PR)