Community Conservation of Marine Turtles and Sustainable Ecosystems

Abstract

A declining trend in the nesting of olive ridley turtles has been recorded throughout the coasts of Kerala. It is essential to establish an empowered community which can work in collaboration with the government and nongovernment institutions to conserve the species. In Kerala, several groups like Neythal in Kasaragod and Theeram in Kozhikode district are involved in the conservation of olive ridley turtles with the support of local people. The turtle eggs collected were reared in a hatchery at Thaikadappuram and young ones released back to the sea. Children as future crusaders of biodiversity play a vital role in biodiversity conservation; as such awareness programs were conducted in schools and seabird viewing camps were organized, and pamphlets and activity books for children were distributed as part of the program. The chapter gives an insight into community conservation of marine turtles in Kerala, threats identified, and actions to be taken to protect the nesting sites of marine turtles.