ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER RESEARCH &DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Lakshadweep is known for its healthy flora and fauna. Four of seven marine turtles found in the world is seen in Lakshadweep waters which include Olive Ridley, (Lepidochelysolivacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Greenturtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). Due to the poorly planned coastal development and incidental capture or By-catch there is great loss and degradation of nesting beaches and foraging habitats which results in huge decrease in the number of turtles among the Islands. Artificial lighting on the beach discourages female sea turtles from nesting. The problem of soil erosion in beach is through beach nourishment. Re-nourishment is allowed to proceed during nesting season.

A detailed monitoring should be undertaken. For this a project named “Mitigating Man-Turtle conflict in Lakshadweep” is being set up. Under this project three were taken as monitoring staff and three different regions of Kavaratti were assigned to each for monitoring. They are monitoring around 90 points.