I've visited Sri Lanka in the April 2015. Couldn't miss one of turtle hatcheries on the west coast. Turtle hatchery in Bentota is
non-profit organization existing since 1986.
Many locals used to consume turtle eggs before, but today they sell the eggs to the hatcheries.
Their main objective is saving Sea Turtles for the next generation. The main part of their project is hatching the turtles by their incubators and releasing them to the ocean carefully. In addition to this a large number of turtles which were sick or injured by fishing nets were treated and cured and released to the ocean.
Apart from this, different varieties of sea turtles are kept in the tanks as exhibits. They feed them by giving sea foods and they were also released to the ocean after 4 - 5 years. From this, people can get a knowledge about the Turtles and the value of saving the Turtles.
The Turtle Farm is opened daily for the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
I've spent there wonderfull three days, amost empty beach, fresh coconuts, healing sound of the Indian ocean waves. Every night I left my room and went on the beach searching for big turtles laying eggs. Wasn't that lucky but fond this in the morning.
::Reasons for the demise of Turtles
A Turtle laying eggs:
-Making use of turtle shells to make ornaments and curios.
-Damage done by mechanized boats.
-Consuming of Turtle eggs.
-The sale and consuming of Turtle flesh.
-Getting entangled in fishing nets and dying of suffocation.
Pollution of the beach and sea by waste matter emitted by hotels and houses situated close to the sea. The sound and powerful lights of hotels along the beach is a hindrance to the turtles who come to the beach to lay eggs. Instead of going towards the sea they go towards bright lights, and that is their end.
Pollution of the sea by waste materials, such as polythene and other harmful matter which is consumed by the Turtles.
:: The ways how to safe guard the Sea Turtles?
-To educate people about the Sea Turtles and the value of saving them for the future generation.
-Beaches should be protected from artificial lights in ares where turtles are found.
-Coral reefs, sea weeds and feeding areas of turtles should be protected.
-The ways of fishing should be done without harming the turtles.
-Sea pollution should be minimized.
-Production of items with turtle shells should be stopped by the International organizations.
-People should refrain from eating turtle eggs and meat.
