West Godavari Coast in Shock as 49 Turtles Wash Ashore Dead

The serene beaches of West Godavari district are witnessing a disturbing environmental crisis. Over just two days, 49 sea turtles have washed up dead along the coastline, while a 300-kg dolphin carcass was also discovered, raising alarms about the region’s marine health.

From Mogalturu to Narsapur , beaches are strewn with lifeless turtles. Locals initially assumed the deaths were natural, but as the numbers climbed, authorities were quickly alerted. Teams from the Forest and Fisheries Departments arrived to inspect the carcasses and collect samples for laboratory analysis.

Sea turtles typically surface every 45 minutes to breathe, but fishing nets placed too close to the shore are trapping them as they feed. According to DFO F.A. Kiran, many turtles drown after being unable to escape the nets, and post-mortem results showed eye protrusion and neck swelling, signs that point to entanglement rather than natural death.

The timing of these deaths is especially worrying. January and February marks the nesting season for sea turtles, making these fatalities a severe concern for conservationists. Investigations are ongoing to determine if pollution or other human factors may also have contributed.

Previously, a turtle conservation center near PM Lanka protected eggs until hatching. Currently, this center is non-operational , leaving turtles and their nests vulnerable. Compounding the problem, the marine police responsible for patrolling the coast are largely absent. With their main base in Konaseema , nearly 60 kilometers away , response times are slow. The Forest Department also has access to only one mechanized boat for coastal surveillance. Meanwhile, abandoned nets in the water continue to threaten marine life .

Experts warn that without urgent intervention, the mass deaths could escalate, jeopardizing the coastal ecosystem and the sea turtle population, which is vital for maintaining marine biodiversity.