Celebrating World Turtle Day!

Today is World Turtle Day, a reminder of why we need to protect one of nature's oldest, most resilient creatures. Turtles have graced the oceans for over millions of years but are now vulnerable, due to growing challenges like habitat destruction and climate change.

Protecting turtles is essential because they help keep our coastal areas healthy, support marine life, and contribute to local communities through eco-tourism.

Globally, conservation efforts are bearing fruit. Conservation organization ARCHELON states that more than half of the world’s sea turtle populations have shown signs of recovery, based on a global study involving 145 experts from 50 countries.

India is a critical habitat for Olive Ridley turtles, with major nesting sites on the Odisha coast such as Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, and Devi.

• Long-term monitoring from 2008 to 2024 shows a heartening recovery of sea turtle populations in India, particularly Olive Ridleys. At Rushikulya alone, nesting numbers increased from 25,000-50,000 nests per season in the early 2000s to over 150,000 nests in recent years, with some years estimating over 400,000 nesting turtles, according to the Press Institute.
• According to The New Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh reported a high hatchling emergence success rate of 92.84% in 2022-23.

At #Infosys Foundation, we believe in nurturing hope for these gentle creatures, especially along the coastal belts of Odisha, home to one of the largest Olive Ridley nesting sites in the world. We partnered with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) in 2015 to make a difference with conservation efforts on the ground.

From man-made to natural predators, the Olive Ridley Turtles face many hurdles during their nesting season. That’s why we've enabled the implementation of protective fencing and ensured continuous patrolling during the 50–60-day incubation period, where nearly 3 lakh females lay their eggs. These measures help address the critical challenge of safeguarding thousands of hatchlings that would otherwise never make it to the ocean.

But conservation efforts are also about people. Together with WWF, we fostered vital dialogues with local communities, understanding their challenges while educating them on coexisting safely with these turtles. This collaboration has not only helped protect turtles but also the livelihoods and aspirations of the coastal inhabitants.

Picture a tiny Olive Ridley Turtle crawling on sand for the first time. Its life has just begun; it carries the immense story of an ancient species battling to survive. That moment is a reminder of what’s at stake and why every effort matters deeply.

This World Turtle Day, whether it’s spreading awareness or donating to conservation initiatives, your action can make a profound difference.

#InfosysCSR | #WorldTurtleDay | #WildlifeConservation | #EnvironmentalSustainability