Students' Sea Turtle Conservation Network

MAST LIGHTS BEING SWITCHED OFF DURING TURTLE HATCHLING SEASON

Background: 

Turtle babies emerging from nests laid on the Chennai beaches have been getting disoriented due to the presence of ever increasing number of lights along the shore. As more buildings are being build close to the shore and roads laid the number of lights from buildings and from street lights are constantly on the rise. In the last few years in addition to regular street lights high mast lights which have a much higher range of illumination have been installed. These lights have ensured that nearly no stretch of beach is dark. While this may seem as good news to humans, young turtle hatchlings which seek to go to their home – the sea – are programmed by nature to make their way towards the brighter horizon. Under natural circumstances due to reflected star light and moon light the sea surface is always brighter. But with these lights all the young hatchlings head towards the land and get killed due to various causes like getting caught in coastal vegetation, dehydration, getting eaten by dogs or crows or even getting run over by vehicles.

Our battle: 

We have been writing and petitioning the various departments of the government asking for regulation of lights on the shore. We have had various suggestions – the best would be that the lights should face away from the beach and shed light on to the road. Secondly that the lights be switched off between 11 pm and 4am during the months of February, March and April as these are the months hatchlings emerge. However there had been no response so far. Though we were given assurances many times no action was taken.

Co-operation from Forest Department:

The current Chief Wildlife Warden Mr.R.Sundararaju is proactive and offers full support and co-operation for conservation efforts. When we approached him and discussed the issue, he took all necessary steps and organized meetings with all the concerned officials such as the corporation commissioner, the principal secretary of the forest department, etc., all of whom on seeing our presentation were sympathetic. The principal secretary hearteningly remarked that the beach belongs to turtles as well, and that we owe it to them to ensure they have safe nesting beaches.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            As a direct result of that meeting we are pleased to inform you that all the six mast lights are being switched off since 10^th April and we have been given the assurance that this will continue in the years to come.