A coastal village and its dedication towards a vulnerable turtle species. The story of the Velas Turtle Festival.

Simple and beautiful Rangoli welcome in front of one of the village houses

This is the story of a small coastal village in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra called Velas. It was a sleepy little village which went about in its ways till one day, the villagers decided to do something for a very special visitor of theirs, the Olive Ridley Turtle.

The Velas beach is one of the few beaches of the western coast of India where the Olive Ridley Turtle lays its eggs.

The egg laying congregation occurs between February and April.

When the eggs are laid by the mother, the Forest Department along with the local NGO Sayadri Nisarga Mitra takes steps to protect the eggs.

These eggs are under threat from mainly dogs, humans and hyenas.

The Forest Department prepares a turtle hatchery which is surrounded by hard mesh boundary. The eggs would be dug up, and re-buried in the sands of the hatchery, with a marker showing Number of Eggs, Date of Laying and some other parameters.

The Olive Ridley Turtle hatchery. The ones in front have already hatched

The ones covered in baskets are ready to hatch eggs.

The hatchlings start emerging from March to May. This is the time when strict monitoring of the egg pits is put into place. Every two hours dedicated employees visit the pits to check for any signs of the eggs hatching. They also cover the hatch area with a woven basket to ensure that none of the predators get access to the hatchlings when they make their way up into the sand.

Its a great sight to see the Olive Ridley hatchlings make their way to the sea. They are released some 200 metres away from the waterline. Then their journey to the sea begins, guided by the vibration of the water hitting the sand and sky. This journey with flippers (and not legs) makes it difficult for them, but then again its their first challenge! One gets engrossed and cheers them on till they hit the water, and then wait for waves to carry them to the vast and unknown ocean. Some photos of this are as below:

Hatchling looking out for the sea :)

How far is the sea? I am feeling tired!

Yipee...I can see the sea!

Waiting for the wave. You can see my footprints behind me and my world in front of me!

Here comes the wave. Wow this feels like home!


Apart from turtles you get to see crabs frolicking in the clean beach. This beach is kept clean by the villagers and the NGO and to me it was one of the cleanest beaches in India!

Ghost Crab. Doesn't it look like an alien?

Ghost crabs on a date

Sand bubbler crab ridding its nest of the sand bubble

Green Swimming Crab wants to hug you. Any takers?


The village:

Velas is a very quaint little village. The houses are built in a style typical to the Konkan coast. The villagers are leisurely people and the main activities are farming Ratnagiri Alphonso mango and Vellas Turtle Festival. During the festival the villagers convert their houses into homestays with homely food and hospitality. There is a community participation to ensure that the release of the Olive Ridley hatchlings is a success. Also the guests to the village who come to see and feel are free to go about the village to absorb the atmosphere! There are beautiful houses of the villagers among fruit trees the whole experience of calm and peace.

Cashew Flower and Fruit. Both are equally beautiful

This village house looks so welcoming

A beautifully decorated village house

Village post office

A partially abandoned two storied house. Still grand.


My experience in Velas was unique and satisfying.

Do get in touch at theworldofshan@gmail.com for comments, feedback, prints etc.

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