Car Nicobar, Feb 20: A significant conservation development has emerged from Teetop Fish Landing Centre beach in Car Nicobar Island, where recurring nesting of the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) has been documented over multiple years through community-based observations. Researchers from ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, and local tribal fishermen have recorded consistent nesting activity at Teetop Beach between 2023 and early 2026 under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and ICAR-CIARI’s joint initiative. These observations, along with the local ecological knowledge of Nicobar tribes, indicate that the site functions as a stable and recurring reproductive ground rather than a sporadic nesting location.
In 2023, more than 150 Olive Ridley hatchlings were rescued, safeguarded, and released safely into the sea through coordinated efforts by local fishermen. Although nesting track marks were observed during 2024 and 2025, hatchlings could not be located during those seasons. However, in early February 2026, the beach once again witnessed the nesting of Olive ridley turtles, the successful protection and release of over 100 turtle hatchlings, reaffirming the ecological importance of the beach site.
The Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is globally recognised for its mass nesting behaviour, and its repeated nesting events at Teetop Beach underscore its role as an important micro-nesting habitat within the Nicobar group of Islands. Given the documented continuity of nesting and hatchling emergence, the Teetop Fish Landing Centre beach should be formally designated as an Olive Ridley nesting site. Such recognition would help ensure that future developmental activities, including expansion of landing centres, coastal infrastructure development, and shoreline modification, are aligned with sea turtle conservation strategies.