Karwar: Olive Ridley Sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center

Karwar division in Karnataka is set to establish an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

Funding: The project is funded by the World Bank under the “K Shore scheme” and will cost ₹4 crore.

The K-Shore (Karnataka - Surface Sustainable Harvest of Ocean Resources) program is a World Bank-aided project to restore and conserve Karnataka's coastal and marine ecosystems.

Goal: Reduce plastic waste in the sea and protect the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Location: The center will be constructed near the tree park at Kodi Bhag in Karwar. 

Purpose: The center aims to rescue and rehabilitate injured Olive Ridley Sea turtles, providing veterinary care and rehabilitation facilities.

Tourism Potential: The center will also enhance local tourism by showcasing marine life such as turtles and dolphins, which are frequently sighted in the area. 

Timeline: The project is expected to be completed by December 2024.

About Olive Ridley Sea Turtle The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles. 

Appearance: Olive ridley turtles have a heart-shaped, olive-green colored carapace (shell).

Size: They grow up to 80 cm in length and weigh less than 50 kg. 

Habitat: They are found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

Nesting: Known for their unique mass nesting behavior called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs. Odisha's Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world's largest rookery for Olive Ridley turtles.

Conservation Status: Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They are also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and listed in CITES Appendix I.

Threats: They face threats from bycatch in fishing gear, climate change, habitat loss, and direct harvesting of turtles and eggs.