Sea Turtle Conservation and Management Status of India

Abstract

Sea turtles are slow growing, long lived and large reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas of the world. Several direct and indirect threats have led the turtle population decline. In recent years, conservative initiatives have been taken towards the turtle protection viz. development of guidelines, installations of TED (Turtle Excluder Device) in trawlers, control of human predation through enforcement of legal acts and policies, initiation of awareness among the public and strengthening educational status of fishers on community-based conservation and sustainable use of existing resources. Identification of species, demarcation of potential nesting grounds, monitoring hatcheries and ranching programmes are to be considered as the igniting steps for an effective and efficient management of turtle population along the coastal states of India.