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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on February 28, 2025

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India’s Olive Ridley turtle numbers improve, but climate skews sex ratio

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology

Context:

A 16-year-long assessment of trends in turtle populations in India says the numbers of the Olive Ridley species suggest a “steady or growing” population. However, rising sand temperatures due to climate change are causing a large proportion of these turtles to be females, “raising questions” on the long-term viability of the population.

Read about:

Olive Ridley species

Rushikulya  River

Key takeaways:

• A comprehensive 16-year study on turtle population trends in India indicates that the Olive Ridley turtle population is either stable or increasing. However, rising sand temperatures due to climate change are leading to a higher proportion of female hatchlings, raising concerns about the species' long-term sustainability.
• Conducted between 2008 and 2024, this study was carried out by the Dakshin Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and multiple State Forest departments.
• It offers valuable insights into population trends, threats, and conservation efforts along India’s mainland and island coasts. While the Olive Ridley is the most abundant marine turtle species, the research also includes other sea turtles found in India, such as the leatherback turtles of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Green Turtles of the Lakshadweep Islands.
• Sea turtles have long lifespans, mature late, and migrate extensively, meaning that population shifts occur gradually over several years or even decades. This makes long-term monitoring crucial for assessing population dynamics and environmental influences.
• One of the most remarkable natural events attracting significant public attention is the arribada, where tens or hundreds of thousands of female Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to nest simultaneously.
• Major nesting sites include Gahirmatha and Rushikulya in Odisha, which rank among the largest globally, alongside similar sites in Mexico and Costa Rica.
• Notably, Rushikulya recently experienced one of its largest arribadas in years, with an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 turtles nesting over just a few days
• Olive Ridley turtles are found across the globe and are protected under the Endangered Species Act. While their breeding colonies along Mexico's Pacific Coast are classified as endangered, other populations are considered threatened.
• According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the global Olive Ridley population has declined by approximately 30 to 50 percent. Although some nesting populations have shown stability or growth in recent years, overall declines in certain regions outweigh these gains.
• In the western Atlantic, some nesting populations have decreased by 80 percent since 1967, though Brazil has witnessed a rise in its nesting numbers. In the eastern Atlantic, Gabon hosts the largest regional nesting population, with 1,000 to 5,000 breeding females annually.

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