Leading the effort were Supriya Sahu IAS – Additional Chief Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate Change & Forests) and Silai Zaki – Australia’s Consul-General, who were joined by over 50 volunteers in cleaning the beach. V.Jaya Chandra Bhanu Reddy IAS – Additional Commissioner (Health), Srinivasan – Corporation Zonal Officer (Zone 13), Ignacio Albert Gleiser – Managing Director of Urbaser Sumeet, along with Urbaser Sumeet CEO Mahmood Sait and the senior management team, enthusiastically participated, highlighting their commitment to sustainability.

“Chennai has been making commendable strides in waste management, and we hope this initiative motivates people to realise they can make a difference to bring out the best of Chennai,” said Ms. Silai Zaki, Australia’s Consul-General.

The tradition of remembering lost turtles began after the mass stranding of 824 turtles in Penna Estuary, Nellore, in 2014, followed by another 1,000 deaths in Cuddalore. These losses were linked to mechanised trawl boats violating the Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, which mandates minimum fishing distances to protect marine life.

Dr. Supraja Dharini, Chairperson of TREE Foundation, emphasised that the 2014 tragedy became a call to action, strengthening conservation efforts. Guest speakers, including P. Muragavel – Assistant Director Superintendent (Fisheries), and S. Malathi – SI at Coastal Security Group, highlighted the importance of sustainable fishing and public awareness.

STPF members shared first-hand rescue experiences, reinforcing hope for conservation. TREE Foundation continues its mission to protect sea turtles and urges collaboration among government agencies, fishers, and the public to ensure the survival of these endangered species.

TREE Foundation, based in Neelankarai, has been actively working with local fishermen to raise awareness about turtle conservation. They educate fishermen on how to handle turtles caught in their nets. Despite these efforts, the number of turtle carcasses appearing on the shores continues to rise, underscoring the severity of the issue.

In a video shared on TREE Foundation’s Instagram page, an unidentified fisherman reveals the challenges, “At least 4 to 5 turtles get caught in our nets every day. Of them we find at least one turtle injured. Their capture injures our nets too as they get torn,” he says. He explains that they no longer pull nets by hand, but use the winch. Additionally, the lack of space on their small boats prevents them from providing care to the injured turtles. “We see that the turtle is weak, but we have no room in our boats. So, we release it back into the ocean,” he adds and laments, “Anywhere we go to fish, turtles are getting caught in the nets!”

Dr.Supraja Dharini, from TREE Foundation, explained, “Commercial fishing vessels use both trawl nets and gill nets. Turtles get caught in these nets and are unable to come up to breathe. Turtles have to surface every 40-45 minutes to breathe. When they get trapped in trawl nets or entangled in gill nets they cannot come to the surface and thus drown and die. When the nets are drawn, the dead turtles are thrown back into the sea and, from there washed ashore. This is truly heartbreaking. We are very sad.”

She added, “The Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (TNMFRA) should be effectively enforced by the Fisheries Department to mandate that commercial fisheries, including trawlers, operate beyond 8 nautical miles from the shore. This regulation is crucial to safeguard artisanal fisheries, whose sustainable practices are also vital for protecting migratory sea turtles.

TREE Foundation is closely monitoring the beaches and documenting the details of the turtle deaths. The organization is also calling for volunteers to assist in their conservation efforts. Concerned individuals can lend their support by contacting TREE Foundation at 94443 06411 or 24496411. For more information and to learn how you can help, visit their website: treefoundationindia.org.

Let’s come together to protect these majestic marine creatures and ensure they continue to thrive along our coasts.

More about the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles

Olive Ridley Turtles are protected in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. They are also protected under the Migratory Species Convention and the Convention of International Trade on Wildlife Flora and Fauna (CITES). 

Multiple reports state that over the decade their population has nearly halved. The World Wildlife Federation states, “Their vulnerable status comes from the fact that they nest in a very small number of places, and therefore any disturbance to even one nest beach could have huge repercussions on the entire population.”  These turtles play a vital ecological role as one of the few predators of jellyfish, which pose a threat to fish stocks. Their conservation is crucial not only for marine biodiversity but also for the fishing industry that relies on balanced ecosystems.

India’s east coast, including Chennai, is a significant nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles. During nesting season, which peaks in January and February, female turtles return to the very beaches where they were born to lay eggs. This phenomenon, known as arribada, sees up to 600,000 turtles emerge from the sea over five to seven days to nest.

The recent surge in turtle deaths poses a dire threat to this fragile cycle. The loss of even a few hundred turtles can have a profound impact on their population recovery.

Currently, apart from the awareness programmes, there is an urgent need for the government to act on the issue and look for safe fishing practices – one where the turtles are not harmed.

Developed by the VGTS (Voluntary Group for Turtle Survival) in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the app focuses on the conservation of endangered Olive Ridley turtles that nest along the East coast of India between January and March.

The app is designed to empower forest rangers by enabling them to monitor egg collection, track hatching progress, and ensure the safe release of hatchlings into the sea. It also integrates a statewide data system to streamline volunteer coordination and promote community engagement. Highlighting the app’s significance, VGTS, on their social media platform, stated, “By combining technology with conservation efforts, the app plays a vital role in protecting Tamil Nadu’s coastal ecosystems. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future for these magnificent creatures and our planet. Let’s continue to make a difference—one hatchling at a time!”

The launch event was attended by Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar, IFS officers, and other key contributors, all of whom emphasised the importance of protecting the state’s fragile marine biodiversity. This initiative is expected to make a substantial impact on conserving Olive Ridley turtles and fostering environmental sustainability.

Olive Ridley Turtles found dead on Chennai Coast

Over the past 15 days, a significant number of endangered Olive Ridley turtles have been found dead along Chennai’s coastline, from Marina to Kovalam. Conservation groups, including the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTN) and Tree Foundation, suggest the turtles likely drowned after getting entangled in fishing nets, especially squid nets laid offshore. Common symptoms include bulging eyes and swollen necks.

“Commercial fishing vessels use both trawl nets and gill nets. Turtles get caught in these nets and are unable to come up to breathe. Turtles have to surface every 40-45 minutes to breathe. When they get trapped in trawl nets or entangled in Gill nets they can not come to the surface and thus drown and die. When the nets are drawn, the dead turtles are thrown back into the sea and, from there wash ashore. This is truly heartbreaking. We are very sad,” explained Supraja Dharini from TREE Foundation. 

She added, “The Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (TNMFRA) should be effectively enforced by the Fisheries Department to mandate that commercial fisheries, including trawlers, operate beyond 8 nautical miles from the shore. This regulation is crucial to safeguard artisanal fisheries, whose sustainable practices are also vital for protecting migratory sea turtles. The east coast serves as an essential migratory corridor for turtles travelling from the Gulf of Mannar to northern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the nesting beaches of Odisha. What benefits artisanal fisheries ultimately benefits these migrating turtles, ensuring the coexistence of ecological conservation and traditional livelihoods.”

Nesting season starts

The launch of the app coincides with the start of the turtle nesting season. Supraja Dharini of TREE Foundation reported the first sighting of an Olive Ridley turtle coming ashore to nest at Panayur at 9:30 PM. The sighting has further energised efforts to protect these vulnerable marine creatures. To volunteer with TREE Foundation, contact 94443 06411, 2449 6411.

The Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network conducts turtle walks – an initiative aimed at raising awareness and involving the public in turtle conservation efforts. Those interested in participating can follow their page at https://sstcn.org. 

Held at the Kasturba Nagar Residents Association Hall, it was attended by more than 20 RWA representatives. Here are some of the issues raised by the residents:

• Discrepancies in the clearance of garden waste. Urbaser Sumeet clarified that much of such waste is dumped after the day’s clearance. However, they agreed to get it cleared at the earliest.
• Backup drivers do not cover all the routes. The Urbaser Sumeet team said that frequent training is given to the BOV drivers before going on the routes.
• Roadside bins are left in the middle of the road after clearance. Also, many times, the bins are not completely emptied. Frequent washing of bins is required. The Urbaser Sumeet team agreed to analyse the waste generation street-wise and ensure that garbage overflow doesn’t happen. Bins will be washed every fortnight.
• Lack of commitment from residents in waste segregation needs to be addressed.
• Illegal dumping of construction debris by residents. Urbaser Sumeet said that residents have to hand over such debris to the Corporation only (M/s Premier being the contractor).
• Maintain the Thiruvanmiyur beach. The Urbaser Sumeet team said that the beach is not under their purview and there is no specific manpower assigned for beach cleanup.

Participants expressed gratitude for the dedication of the staff, particularly during the rainy season, and applauded their efforts to maintain clean streets. The meeting concluded with commitments from Urbaser Sumeet to implement actionable solutions and maintain clear communication with residents for continuous improvement in waste management operations.

Urbaser Sumeet also shared the contact details:

• Complaints: 1800 5712 069
• Zonal Manager (Bhim Rao): 73050 35417
• Assistant Zonal Manager (Rathnam): 89255 22013
• Manager – IEC (Vignesh Ponnappan): 89255 22002
• Team Leader – IEC (Zone 13) (Muthamil): 89255 22506

However, the season has also seen several turtles washing ashore dead, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures. In response, the TREE Foundation hosted the annual Stakeholders’ Workshop on Jan.6, at Mogaiur near Sadras in Chengalpattu District.

This important event brought together 96 participants, including officers from the Forest, Fisheries, Marine Police, and the Indian Coast Guard. The workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration between stakeholders and promote innovative strategies to address challenges faced by Olive Ridley turtles.

The event underscores the TREE Foundation’s commitment to protecting these marine icons through community involvement, education, and inter-agency cooperation. By safeguarding these turtles, they aim to preserve not only a species but also the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

TREE Foundation can be contacted at 94443 06411. 

The event was graced by Joshua Pius Amalraj – Director of Little Flowers Group of Schools, who addressed the students on the significance of environmental responsibility. He highlighted the impact of small, collective actions like tree planting and encouraged the young participants to continue their efforts toward a sustainable future.

Through this project, children were encouraged to take an active role in addressing key environmental concerns such as rising temperatures, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The children raised funds from family and friends to ensure that the newly planted saplings would be maintained for the next three years. The initiative provided practical experience in fundraising and community engagement, teaching children the importance of environmental stewardship and the role they can play in shaping a sustainable future.

Nearly 600 native saplings were planted across the park. Participating schools and academies were Little Flowers (Kundrathur), Scholars Academy and Story Influencers Academy. COMMUNITREE, which manages over 1.5 million trees across 105 locations in India, has continued its efforts to create urban forests and raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation. 

As part of a community support development program for persons with disabilities, the students were trained to act as monitors and liaison agents, ensuring the protection of the trees. They will also educate park visitors weekly about the importance of native trees, fostering awareness and inclusion.

This thoughtful initiative highlights the synergy between environmental conservation and empowering individuals with disabilities. Vidya Sagar is a prominent organisation dedicated to disability empowerment, based out of Kotturpuram. They can be contacted at 98400 87540.

The residents highlight that the green space has served the community for over 20 years, featuring a garden, benches, a small temple, and coconut trees, all developed and maintained by residents. It also hosts a TNEB transformer, critical for local power supply. The residents point out that this space poses no obstruction and enhances the neighbourhood.

The building in question already has an access gate on Seaworld Drive, its registered address for essential services (TNEB, property tax etc.). Residents worry that converting Raja Rangaswamy Avenue to an access point could impact the area’s residential zoning, particularly if the property becomes commercial, potentially leading to parking congestion. Additionally, Raja Rangaswamy Avenue and its building are approved under CRZ, while the status of the southern side, is not clear in the publicly available drawings.

They point out that if the gate comes up:

• The temple has to be removed
• The trees have to be cut
• The seats will have to be removed, and there will be no more seating for senior citizens
• There will be no more greenery and no garden – as the plants will be uprooted.
• Road will have to be laid till the end of the wall 
• Transformer will need to be moved towards the compound.

Considering all this, the residents appeal to GCC to retain the status quo of the temple and recreation area at the southern end of Raja Rangaswamy Avenue, as desired by a large number of residents of Valmiki Nagar.

For more information email: valmikinagarchennai@gmail.com.

Routing massive amounts of stormwater into beaches through pipes can have significant environmental, ecological, and health:

• Beach erosion: Discharging large volumes of stormwater into beaches can accelerate coastal erosion. The force of stormwater flow can strip sand from the beach, destabilize dunes, and weaken natural coastal defences. Sediments from SWDs can alter natural sand movement patterns.
• Pollution of coastal waters: SWDs in Chennai have often been reported to also carry sewage. Such water when routed directly to the beach introduces these pollutants into the coastal ecosystem, directly impacting marine life.
• Marine ecosystem disruption: Sudden influxes of fresh water can disturb the salinity levels of coastal waters, impacting marine species adapted to specific saline conditions. Pollutants carried by the stormwater can also cause toxic algal blooms, harm fish populations, and disrupt the broader ecosystem. An example of this was the bio-luminance spotted across Chennai beaches.
• Backflow during high tide: During high tide, there will be a backflow of waterflooding in low-lying areas or streets near the coast, as the pipes intended to carry water away from these areas are instead carrying seawater back into them. It will also increase the pressure on the drainage system and accelerate erosion of pipes due to saltwater, thus increasing maintenance costs. 
• Impact on tourism: Polluted stormwater discharges can make beaches unsafe for recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, and fishing, negatively impacting local tourism and the economy.

Such discharge can be seen not at one but two places on Thiruvanmiyur beach and multiple places all along the Chennai coast. At Palavakkam and Kottivakkam, sewage is let out at the beach through pipes.

The beaches from Marina to Uthandi come under CRZ 1A and 1B. As per the Ministry of Environment and Forest, “No new construction shall be permitted within 500 metres of the High Tide Line. No construction activity, except facilities for carrying treated effluents and wastewater discharges into the sea, facilities for carrying seawater for cooling purposes, oil, gas and similar pipelines, will be permitted between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide Line.” Any other construction is a violation.

This practice underscores the need for a sustainable and environmentally sound flood mitigation strategy that takes into account the fragile coastal ecosystem and the well-being of local communities.

What would it take for the GCC to take notice and take corrective action immediately?