The effect of tsunami on sea turtle nesting beaches along the coast of India

Abstract

The devastating earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra and the resultant tsunami on December 26th 2004 has left a marked impact on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also along the Indian mainland coast especially along Tamil Nadu province. Transgression of shoreline occurred along many parts of northern Tamil Nadu coast especially in sea turtle nesting beaches. However, turtle nesting has been reported along these beaches after the tsunami event. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the worst affected in India. Shoreline alteration has occurred in many areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Among the Nicobar group of islands, decrease in the extent of sandy beach of Camorta and Noncowry Islands has been reported. Trinkat Island has almost been split into three pieces. Many turtle nesting beaches have been washed away in Nicobar group of Islands, but new beach formation has occurred. The beaches have been reported as littered with debris, which will certainly have an impact on nesting turtle population.