250 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings released on Cox's Bazar beach
The hatchlings were born at a specially managed nursery operated jointly by the Cox’s Bazar Forest Department and Nature Conservation Management (NACOM)
Around 250 Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings were released into the sea from the Inani Beach in Cox's Bazar today (9 April).
The hatchlings were born at a specially managed nursery operated jointly by the Cox's Bazar Forest Department and Nature Conservation Management (NACOM),
The release ceremony was attended by Mollah Rejaul Karim, conservator of forests for the Chattogram Region, who emphasised the importance of the Olive Ridley turtles in maintaining the ecological balance of the ocean.
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"The Olive Ridley is an essential component of marine biodiversity in the Bay of Bengal. Protecting this species is crucial for preserving the natural balance of our marine ecosystem," he said.
Abdul Qayyum, manager of Natural Resource Management and Climate Change at NACOM, said, "The turtle eggs were collected from 12 different points along the coastline, and over 6,000 hatchlings have already been released into the sea.
"Every year, large numbers of Olive Ridley turtles come to the world's longest natural sea beach to lay their eggs. To protect the nesting mothers and ensure a safe hatching environment, more than a dozen nurseries have been established from Cox's Bazar's Teknaf," he added.
According to NACOM, 26,770 eggs were collected this season and nurtured under special conditions for successful hatching. So far, more than 6,000 eggs have successfully hatched.
However, recent surveys have raised concerns about the shrinking number of nesting sites.
Currently, only 34 locations are being used by sea turtles to lay eggs—down from 52 a decade ago—highlighting the growing threats to their natural breeding grounds.
