Turtles Come Back To Indian Beach For The First Time In 20 Years After World’s Biggest Clean Up, Prove We Can Make A Difference
We are all very much aware of the suffering that we, as human beings, impose on the other species that inhabit our planet. Habitat destruction, over-exploitation, climate change and the introduction of invasive species have all contributed to what is rapidly becoming a sixth ‘mass extinction,’ and this time it’s all down to us.
But what if we could successfully undo some of this damage, and help endangered species to recover? While this is a huge ask, the story of the sea turtles can give us some cause for optimism.
Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years, but have had it seriously tough since humans started encroaching on their habitats. When not being caught and eaten in their millions by people looking for an ‘easy catch,’ their nesting sites have been ruined by development and pollution along beaches, and they have been accidently caught and entangled in the countless nets and hooks that fisheries use and leave behind.
However, a recent study of 299 nesting sites in diverse locations around the world has shown a significant increase in sea turtle nests, indicating that numbers of these magnificent creatures may be making a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction. This is wonderful news, especially as the research team has credited conservation efforts as the likely cause for the turnaround.
Sea turtles were recognised as vulnerable in the 1970’s, and laws were passed in the USA and Mexico in order to protect them. Since then, conservation efforts have stepped up. WWF are leading the way by introducing circular fish hooks that are much less likely to be swallowed by turtles, as well as specially designed shrimp nets that allow turtles to safely escape. These measures reduce turtle ‘bycatch’ deaths by up to 90%. Other protection methods have included darkening beaches, so hatchlings don’t get disoriented, and mass clean ups of coastal habitats.
The best example of a major beach cleanup comes from Versova beach in the Indian city of Mumbai. Once a putrid dumping ground, waist high in plastics and other trash, the beach has been transformed into a beautiful coastline where turtles can safely nest, thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers. The effort was lead by Lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah who, not content with initiating what the UN called the “world’s largest beach cleanup project,” removing an incredible 5 million kilograms of plastic in 85 weeks, also personally guarded the first turtle hatchlings to make their way into the sea from Versova beach in many decades. “I had tears in my eyes when I saw them walking towards the ocean,” he told The Guardian. Bored Panda spoke to a representitive of the volunteer team for an update on the condition of the beach, who was pleased to confirm that it is currently clean. “Every monsoon the ocean pukes plastic and filth onto the beach, but with regular clean ups the situation on ground is changing,” the volunteer told us. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends. We recently also had close to 6000 people on the beach for clean up on 31st May 2018.”
Despite these positive initiatives, the sea turtles are far from out of the woods yet. Just this week, 300 turtles were found dead off the coast of Mexico, likely to have drowned in stray fishing nets. Six of the seven species of sea turtle are still considered highly vulnerable, so while conservation efforts have started to bear fruit, there is still plenty of work to do to ensure that these ancient, beautiful creatures don’t disappear from our oceans forever. Scroll down below for more information, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years, but have had it seriously tough since humans started encroaching on their habitats
Image credits: Bureau of Land Management
When not being caught and eaten in their millions by people looking for an ‘easy catch’
Image credits: Keenan Adams
They end up tangled up in fishing nets
Image credits: Jordi Chias
While climate change, pollution, and development along beaches have destroyed their habitats
Just recently 300 turtles were found dead off the coast of Mexico, likely to have drowned in stray fishing nets
But things are slowly starting to change. A recent study of 299 nesting sites in diverse locations around the world has shown a significant increase in sea turtle nests
Image credits: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Image credits: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Citizen initiatives like this one in Mumbai, India, are cleaning up beaches to make them suitable for nesting again
Image credits: Erik Solheim
The effort was lead by Lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah
Image credits: Afroz Shah
The UN called it the “world’s largest beach cleanup project,” removing an incredible 5 million kilograms of plastic in 85 weeks
Image credits: Afroz Shah
What was once a putrid dumping ground, waist high in plastics and other trash
Image credits: Afroz Shah
Image credits: Afroz Shah
The beach has been transformed
Image credits: Afroz Shah
Into a beautiful coastline where turtles can safely nest
Image credits: Afroz shah
Image credits: Afroz Shah
“I had tears in my eyes when I saw them walking towards the ocean” Mr. Shah said
Image credits: Afroz Shah
Six of the seven species of sea turtle are still considered to be critically endangered however, so there is still plenty of work to do to ensure that these ancient, beautiful creatures don’t disappear from our oceans forever
Image credits: Afroz Shah
UPDATE: This is how the beach currently looks. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda
We also had Jacob go to India and get us an interview with the guy behind this amazing feat. Check it out
160Kviews
Share on FacebookThis is good news. It makes me curious, though, about where will all the cleaned up trash go (no cynism, just curiosity). I hope people will keep it clean and pretty after all that effort.
The article has been updated with the current state of the beach, it is clean. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda
Load More Replies...No matter what, small good change is counted. This act will encourage the other and give them a hope.
Not really encouraging if the beach is filled with garbage again in no time https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...I've been reading about turtles. This is an amazing achievement. No matter what else Mr. Shah and those who are part of this mission do in their lives, they have already left an enduring legacy.
The article has been updated with the current state of the beach, it is clean. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda
This is good news thanks to some citizens who took matters into their own hands. But the overall trash problem in India is caused by an utterly uncaring and irresponsible government that hasn't managed (or doesn't care) to implement an actual functioning garbage disposal system in most places. As long as people have no other way of getting rid of their trash, beaches and streets all over India will continue to look like this.
Including this beach, unfortunately: https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...This article is so encouraging! I am so impressed with these people! On a recent trip to Cozumel during nesting season we helped rescue baby Greens and Loggerheads and learned about the species struggles and the damage single use plastics is capable of and Cruise Ships dumping trash in international waters. Its one thing to reuse the trash its but how great would it be if we didn't create it in the first place.
The beach looks wonderful. But what to do next? How to keep the beach tidy? India has big problems with waste. although this iniciative is brilliant, single action did not solve the problem...
They didn't manage to keep the beach tidy, garbage from elsewhere washed ashore soon enough https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...My eternal admiration, respect and gratitude to mr. Afroz Shah and each and every one of this awesome group that made an incredible 180º change for the benefit of this wonderfull creatures, the sea turtles. All of u are responsible of makin this world better.
Even with all the smoke on the air from the California and Utah fires in the air here in Utah, already having tears in my eyes, this made them come out Mich more. My heart is happy for the day seeing this!
They have achieved something amazing, and have proven we can ALL be part of the solution to a problem which is of our own making <3
In the greater scheme of things one person's act to improve the planet may be minuscule but it's 100% bigger than doing nothing.
I've always wondered how people can appreciate something enough to want to be there, (beaches, parks, etc) but not appreciate it enough to keep it clean. the saddest thing here is that the people have come back to a beautiful clean beach and then trash it again.
Hello we are in urgent need of animal dog food for our animal shelter because it has run out, with the money we will be able to feed them with 3 tons of dog food that can last for the next 6 months. Any support will have our eternal gratitude https://gogetfunding.com/help-us-buy-dog-food/
WTF does it need volunteers to KEEP cleaning it up? Maybe stop throwing trash on the beach?
So Happy Together! I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life!!
how about the human waste? maybe they need to build toilet before cleaning it...
omg, this makes me happy. DAMN those fishing nets, always left around. They should all be marked so that when they show up later, the owner can be charged and fined. They're a HUGE problem.
I don't think fishermen lose the tools that provide in their livelihood on purpose. Also; most fishermen are poor, if not living in poverty. Do you reallt think a fine will solve anyone's problems?
Load More Replies...There's always some killjoy who has to try and suck the happiness out of a feel-good story. Take a bow Jules , it's your time to bask in the limelight.
Load More Replies...This is good news. It makes me curious, though, about where will all the cleaned up trash go (no cynism, just curiosity). I hope people will keep it clean and pretty after all that effort.
The article has been updated with the current state of the beach, it is clean. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda
Load More Replies...No matter what, small good change is counted. This act will encourage the other and give them a hope.
Not really encouraging if the beach is filled with garbage again in no time https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...I've been reading about turtles. This is an amazing achievement. No matter what else Mr. Shah and those who are part of this mission do in their lives, they have already left an enduring legacy.
The article has been updated with the current state of the beach, it is clean. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda
This is good news thanks to some citizens who took matters into their own hands. But the overall trash problem in India is caused by an utterly uncaring and irresponsible government that hasn't managed (or doesn't care) to implement an actual functioning garbage disposal system in most places. As long as people have no other way of getting rid of their trash, beaches and streets all over India will continue to look like this.
Including this beach, unfortunately: https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...This article is so encouraging! I am so impressed with these people! On a recent trip to Cozumel during nesting season we helped rescue baby Greens and Loggerheads and learned about the species struggles and the damage single use plastics is capable of and Cruise Ships dumping trash in international waters. Its one thing to reuse the trash its but how great would it be if we didn't create it in the first place.
The beach looks wonderful. But what to do next? How to keep the beach tidy? India has big problems with waste. although this iniciative is brilliant, single action did not solve the problem...
They didn't manage to keep the beach tidy, garbage from elsewhere washed ashore soon enough https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-beach-is-dirty-again-here-s-why/story-fYBkgQXhnHTXnXdqRCQ01H.html
Load More Replies...My eternal admiration, respect and gratitude to mr. Afroz Shah and each and every one of this awesome group that made an incredible 180º change for the benefit of this wonderfull creatures, the sea turtles. All of u are responsible of makin this world better.
Even with all the smoke on the air from the California and Utah fires in the air here in Utah, already having tears in my eyes, this made them come out Mich more. My heart is happy for the day seeing this!
They have achieved something amazing, and have proven we can ALL be part of the solution to a problem which is of our own making <3
In the greater scheme of things one person's act to improve the planet may be minuscule but it's 100% bigger than doing nothing.
I've always wondered how people can appreciate something enough to want to be there, (beaches, parks, etc) but not appreciate it enough to keep it clean. the saddest thing here is that the people have come back to a beautiful clean beach and then trash it again.
Hello we are in urgent need of animal dog food for our animal shelter because it has run out, with the money we will be able to feed them with 3 tons of dog food that can last for the next 6 months. Any support will have our eternal gratitude https://gogetfunding.com/help-us-buy-dog-food/
WTF does it need volunteers to KEEP cleaning it up? Maybe stop throwing trash on the beach?
So Happy Together! I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life!!
how about the human waste? maybe they need to build toilet before cleaning it...
omg, this makes me happy. DAMN those fishing nets, always left around. They should all be marked so that when they show up later, the owner can be charged and fined. They're a HUGE problem.
I don't think fishermen lose the tools that provide in their livelihood on purpose. Also; most fishermen are poor, if not living in poverty. Do you reallt think a fine will solve anyone's problems?
Load More Replies...There's always some killjoy who has to try and suck the happiness out of a feel-good story. Take a bow Jules , it's your time to bask in the limelight.
Load More Replies...
796
76