Two decades after they were last spotted nesting on Versova beach in Mumbai, Olive Ridley turtles appear to be returning to the shoreline that was once drowning in plastic waste.

Despite Mumbai's polluted beaches, the Olive Ridley turtles seem to have found one beach clean enough to nest, with around 80 hatchlings making their way to the Arabian Sea on Thursday- a historic moment for a place previously buried under millions of pounds of trash.

A group of volunteers engaged in a clean-up of the Versova beach stumbled upon the sight of Olive Ridley hatchlings on the beach. They called forest officials and ensured the turtles walked into the sea sans any hindrance.

Mumbai-based lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah, who initiated the beach clean-up drive in 2015, was present when the group noticed the hatchlings.

Shah described the news as "fantastic and a historic moment for Mumbai".

"The turtles nested and hatched at our beach. We facilitated their journey to the sea," he said, adding, that "constant cleaning of the beach helps marine species."

A volunteer, who was present at the Versova beach this morning, said, "I have witnessed something surreal on Thursday. A life-changing experience. Eighty Olive Ridley turtles walking back to the sea."

The Olive Ridley sea turtle (scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific Ridley sea turtle, is a medium-size species of sea turtle found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.They can also be found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Oceans are the largest ecosystem on Earth and harbor tremendous biodiversity. Earth’s oceans make up over 90% of the habitable space on the planet, and researchers believe that 50-80% of all life is found underwater — and we’ve barely seen any of it. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only 5% of the ocean has been explored, potentially leaving thousands, if not millions, of species undiscovered.Protecting the ocean means protecting all of the Earth’s ecosystems. Beaches, lakes, rainforests, swamps — all rely directly on the health of the ocean. Without it, they will surely suffer too.If they go, we go with them.

Avoid purchasing souvenirs that exploit marine wildlife, take care of the beach you surf or tan on. Stop using as many plastic products, and only purchase seafood that is certified as sustainable. Educate yourself, because learning about ocean conservation will help you make choices that protect our planet’s most important resource

GOAL 14: Life Below Water