From landfill to turtle sanctuary

The Versova beach in Mumbai has undergone an amazing metamorphosis. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of many people, within 2 years it was possible to turn a rubbish dump into a place where turtles of an endangered species again come to lay their eggs and give birth to offspring!

At least 80 olive ridley turtles, Lepidochelys olivacea, have reached the waters of the Arabian Sea from the shores of Versova beach. This is the first time this has happened in decades! The animals were therefore under the watchful protection of volunteers, who at all times made sure that the young did not fall prey to wild dogs and local birds.

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[blockquote style=”2″]”When I received the information about the appearance of the first turtles, I knew we were standing and on the threshold of something big. I had tears in my eyes when I saw them heading towards the ocean on the spot,” said Afroz Shah, who led the beach clean-up operation.”[/blockquote]

Dozens of olive ridley turtles have taken off from the sands of Versova beach, letting the world know that this patch of land will once again give birth to life. The efforts of local people have had a wonderful effect and should set an example wherever human activity has led to environmental degradation.

Versova beach has undergone what the United Nations has called “the world’s largest beach clean-up project”. It has gone from a landfill, full of pollution and rubbish, to a state that today can even be called a pristine piece of coastline!

Source: theguardia.com

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