In some good news for nature lovers, the much-awaited nesting season of Olive Ridley turtles on the beaches of Konkan coast has begun. Till now, the forest department has been able to locate around 18 nesting sites.

Confirming the same, Clement Ben, chief conservator of forest, Kolhapur said, “We have found a total of 12 nesting sites of the Olive Ridley turtle in Kudal range, of which 11 are on Vengurla beach and one is on Malwan beach. Our staff is taking the best possible effort to protect the nests. In Dapoli range, we have found a total of eight nests and seven hatcheries and a total 817 eggs. The beaches include, Anjale, Kelashi, Karde, Murud, Dabhol, Kolthare, and Ladghar velas.” In Chiplun range, the forest department has found two nests and three hatcheries with 160 eggs. The Ratnagiri range also saw two nests and three hatcheries with 171 eggs.