Goa has around six turtle nesting sites to spot the well-known Olive Ridley Turtles.
These sites are spread across 4 seashores in the south and north Goa and these seashores are acknowledged as Turtle Beach. The most well-known amongst them is the Galgibaga Beach, located in Canacona South Goa.
The Olive Ridley Turtle is one of the species of small sea turtles with a grownup carapace which is about 60 to 70 cm in length. The heart-shaped carapace is characterised by 4 pairs of pore-bearing inframarginal scutes on the bridge, two pairs of prefrontal, and up to 9 lateral scutes per side. Olive ridleys are special in that they can have variable and asymmetrical lateral scute 6 to eight counts ranging from 5 to 9 plates on every side, with six to eight being most regularly observed. Each aspect of the carapace has 12–14 marginal scutes.
Once a year, Goa’s coastline welcomes Olive Ridley Turtles which head to the shore for the turtle nesting season between November and April.
Each of them lays hundreds of eggs. The incubation period takes about 40-50 days, and after that, the hatchlings return to the sea.
As the mating season of these turtles coincides with the turtle nesting season, it’s a great chance for tourists to spot them, though possibly dangerous for the turtles.
Ecotourism is highly promoted in Goa, but only as long as nature is protected too.
There are lots of rules to be taken into account while checking out the nesting beaches. The authorities and community of Goa carefully protect nesting places and overlook the whole process so that the turtles are not disturbed.
Light pollution, bonfires on beaches, and flash photography can confuse baby turtles. To protect wildlife, beaches have been equipped with nesting pits, watched by local volunteers to make sure stray dogs and people do not harm the eggs.
In some villages, local people create special eco huts, where tourists can watch this natural phenomenon from a distance. Some of the best places to witness the turtle nesting season include Morjim, Galgibag, and Agonda beaches. Morjim Beach is located in Pernem, North Goa, while Galgibag and Agonda beaches are both in South Goa’s Canacona district. Galgibag Beach closes off its northern side completely during the hatching season making it a “protected turtle zone”.
