Agonda TRC shifts back turtle nesting site to original location
The 10 pits protected at Agonda TRC's original turtle nesting site in Divanbhag. Photo: Kathy Fernandes
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
With 116 Olive Ridley eggs being laid at the Galgibaga Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) in the wee hours of Friday, as many as 1,191 eggs are now being preserved at the two TRCs in Agonda and Galgibaga.
The Galgibaga TRC, got its second pit with 116 eggs when the mother turtle visited the shore as early as 4.30 am on Friday. The Olive Ridley eggs were immediately shifted and protected as Pit No. 2 at the Nesting Site.
The Agonda TRC, which opened its account with 65 eggs on December 28, 2024 now has a total of 10 pits containing 962 eggs at the nesting site which, incidentally, has been brought back to its original site at Divanbhag.
During the turtle nesting season last year, the forest department had encountered objections from locals after shifting the TRC from the traditional site at Divanbhag to a new site behind the Agonda Church premises.
Responding to the opposition, the forest department conducted a few inspections and later agreed to shift the turtle nesting site back to its original site at Divanbhag for the next season.
With the second Olive Ridley turtle laying eggs at the Galgibaga shore, the Galgibaga turtle nesting site is now protecting 229 eggs.
