Win-Win: Saving Turtles, Uplifting the Community

A local community in India has joined together to save the endangered Olive Ridley turtle.

Until a few years ago, locals of the Velas village in Western India would steal and eat turtle eggs. The community began to change its ways after environmentalists educated them on the importance of the Olive Ridley turtle for a balanced ecosystem. Today, the Velas village draws in “ecotourists” who come to see the turtles hatch and go to sea.

Strict rules are in place within the region to ensure that tourism doesn’t negatively affect nature such as the prohibition of water sports and regulations on vehicles. Locals assure that they remain committed to the conservation of nature and turtles within their community, while simultaneously welcoming tourism as it has created more jobs in the area. Velas village has ultimately become the model for other beachside communities around India.