A new Sea Turtle Conservation Centre is being set up at Guindy, Chennai under the World Bank‑aided Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN‑SHORE) project. The centre, which is being built at a cost of ₹14.5 crore, will strengthen efforts to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles that nest along Tamil Nadu’s beaches.
Every year, thousands of turtles come to the shores of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvallur to lay eggs. But only a few baby turtles survive because of pollution, fishing nets, and bright lights near the coast. Yet, thanks to sustained conservation measures, the last nesting season saw a record number of hatchlings beginning their journey to the sea. Hatchling releases rose from 1.16 lakh in 2020‑21 to 2.87 lakh in 2024‑25.
The new centre will support scientific research, training, and community participation. It will also serve as a hub for public awareness, helping more people understand why turtles are important and how to protect them.
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