Every night between January and May, while most of Chennai is fast asleep, a dedicated group of volunteers from the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) walk the coastline—on alert for the subtle signs of an ancient ritual: the nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Arun V, SSTCN coordinator, describes it best: "Every day, we have four volunteers, two on either side, walking the stretch from Neelangarai to Besant Nagar from 11 pm to 4 am." It’s more than a walk; it’s a silent mission in moonlight, driven by passion.

The Art of Reading Turtle Tracks

The nesting ritual is a three-act wonder: the turtle arrives and performs a compacting "dance" to dig her nest, enters a trance during egg-laying, and finishes with another sand-covering dance.

Gopala Krishnan, a senior consultant at Cognizant and five-year volunteer, says, "It takes about 45 to 50 minutes if we’re lucky to witness it live. Otherwise, we rely on tracks."

Identifying a real nest is a blend of science and intuition. "We use a metal probe to carefully detect the neck of the nest. It’s loose and different from the rest of the sand," Gopala explains. Once found, the eggs—soft, round, and ping-pong ball-sized—are gently collected and transported in cloth bags to a hatchery.

Raising Awareness: Public Walks by the Sea

Fridays and Saturdays are special. That’s when SSTCN hosts public turtle walks. Groups of 30 to 50 gather for a briefing on conservation, followed by a live walk.

"This year we conducted over 50 walks, but had to limit the crowd to 60 per session," shares Raghuraman, a naturalist. "It’s about the turtles. If our presence disturbs them, it defeats the whole purpose."

Participants learn about everything: nesting, climate threats, even broader ecological issues. If a nest is spotted, they get to see the process of relocation—a rare and touching moment.

Hatchery Life: Where the Magic Happens

Once relocated, the eggs incubate under careful watch. From school kids to forest officials, the hatchery sees a fascinating mix of people.

"We monitor 24/7," says Raghuraman. The job includes documentation, checking for overdue nests, and even rescuing struggling hatchlings. "Roots entangle them sometimes. Or they get dehydrated. We manually retrieve and record everything."

Releasing the Hatchlings: Awe, and a Lot of Effort

Evenings turn magical as the hatchlings are released to the sea. Crowds gather, barricades go up, and volunteers guide both turtles and people.

"We use torchlight to lead hatchlings. They follow the brightest source," says Nishfa Sherin. But even here, predators like crabs lurk, and volunteers preemptively seal crab holes to protect the young.

"Sometimes, late at night, it’s just the two of us and hundreds of hatchlings. That’s a moment of peace," Raghuraman adds.

What It Takes to Volunteer

This isn’t a college credit gig. "You need grit and love for conservation," says Gopala. The hours are brutal (11 pm to 7 am), and safety, especially for women, remains a concern. "If you’re in it for applause, it’s not for you," says Arun.

Yet, every volunteer shares the same spark: a deep, unshakable commitment. "I hope my kids join this cause someday," Gopala reflects.

More Than Just Conservation

These volunteers come from all walks of life—corporate, academic, science, marketing. But by night, they’re united by one cause: ensuring the Olive Ridley turtles reach the ocean safely.

And maybe, just maybe, one of those hatchlings will return to the same sands years later, ready to start the cycle again.