When do these hatchlings turn turtle?

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If you are one of those people who goes “awww” at the sight of baby animals on TV (let’s face it, which normal person doesn’t), then don’t miss the annual Turtle Festival that brings you up close and personal with newly hatched and completely adorable Olive Ridley turtles. The hatchings have officially begun at Velas, an off-the-grid little village about 200 km from Mumbai. “Though the turtles nest at several locations along the Konkan coastline, the beach at Velas is a big draw for the female turtles looking for a safe place to lay her eggs. It’s pristine, relatively isolated and completely noise free,” says Kamalakar Bendke who volunteers with the NGO that has been organising the festival since 2006.
This year, the hatchery has over nine nests with around 50-150 eggs each, promising a brisk hatching season that can extend up to two months. Every morning at 7 am, nature lovers who have driven miles to witness the miracle are treated to the amazing sight of the hatchlings taking their first steps into the unknown. Mumbai-based Sulbha Shirwaikar is one of the first people down at Velas. It’s her third year watching the march of the little ones into the ocean and she confesses that it’s now a bit of an addiction with her. “It’s a really unique experience watching the baby turtles crawl across the sand for the first time. They are so tiny, just over 3-4 inches long. Barely a few hours old and they already have to start battling for survival,” she reflects.
The whole village has truly committed itself to the conservation process. Get a taste of rural hospitality at many of the households which provide homestay accommodations for visiting tourists (part of their earnings are donated towards protecting this vulnerable species). Mohan Upadhye coordinates the Turtle Festival activities at Velas can house up to ten guests at his quaint, tile-roofed home. “I have hosted scores of visitors from Mumbai, Pune, Karnataka, Andhra and even international tourists from France. Here, they get to experience life in a village. We sit together with our guests for tea and meals - authentic home-cooked Konkan cuisine, traditionally served on banana leaves,” he says. A chance to spend some time in the idyllic village is another bonus for many of the visiting urbanites. Samira Bulakh, an IT professional from Pune, stayed overnight at Velas with her husband. “The stay was really memorable. The people here don’t treat you like customers but like special guests. They are so warm and hospitable. And the food!,” she sighs, “Hot, tasty and totally divine.” Need that final push to make the trip? “Mobile phones don’t work at Velas,” says Mohan, proudly. We are there!