News: The Union Budget 2026 proposes the development of turtle trails along key nesting sites in the coastal areas of Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala.
About Turtle Trail
- Creation of Turtle trail aims to protect endangered sea turtles and generate new livelihood opportunities for local communities dependent on coastal ecosystems.
- Developed at: It will be developed along key nesting sites in the coastal areas of Odisha (Gahirmatha and Rushikulya), Karnataka and Kerala. These regions are critical habitats for the Olive Ridley turtles, known for arribadas.
- Note: Mass nesting or arribada of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles is recorded only along India, Costa Rica and some handful of beaches in the world.
- Key features:
- Controlled and supervised anthropogenic activities in turtle nesting sites.
- Local communities, fishermen, and volunteers are actively involved in monitoring and protecting turtle nesting sites.
- Awareness and education programs are conducted to inform the public about the importance of turtle conservation.
- Artificial lighting along the coast is regulated to prevent hatchlings from becoming disoriented.
- Issues related to development of Turtle trail: Unregulated tourism, artificial lighting, noise, mining and construction near beaches can disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings.
Read more: Olive Redly Turtle
