Guardians of the coast: Turtle conservation on Oman’s beaches

Opinion Monday 11/September/2023 20:43 PM
By: BHAVNA BATRA*
Guardians of the coast: Turtle conservation on Oman’s beaches

Once upon a time, on the beautiful beaches of Oman, a group of special people called the “Guardians of the Coast” were working hard to protect some incredible creatures – Sea Turtles! These sea turtles were endangered, which meant they needed help to survive.

The Guardians of the Coast were like superheroes for these turtles. Their job was to make sure the turtles could safely lay their eggs in the sand and that the baby turtles could hatch and reach the sea without any problems.

Ahmed, a young scientist who loved the ocean, was one of the Guardians. He knew a lot about sea turtles and how important they were for the ocean’s balance. Every year, when it was time for the turtles to lay their eggs, Ahmed and his team would go to the beaches at night to watch over them.

Under the twinkling stars, the Guardians of the Coast would quietly walk along the sand, making sure no one disturbed the turtles. They watched as the mommy turtles dug deep holes in the sand to lay their eggs. It was like a magical dance between the turtles and the ocean.

But the turtles faced many challenges. The world was changing, and pollution and other problems were hurting their homes. Plastic waste in the ocean confused the turtles, and sometimes they would eat it by mistake, which was dangerous.

The Guardians knew they had to do something. They organised beach clean-ups, where they picked up all the trash that could hurt the turtles. They also talked to schools and taught kids about how important it was to take care of the ocean and its creatures.

One night, the Guardians found a nest of turtle eggs that had been dug up by predators. It was sad, but they didn’t give up. Carefully, they collected the eggs that were left and moved them to a safe place called a hatchery. There, the eggs would be safe from harm.

The Guardians watched over the eggs in the hatchery day and night. When the baby turtles were ready to hatch, they made sure they could safely make their way to the sea. It was a special moment to see the tiny turtles take their first steps toward the water.

As the baby turtles swam away, the Guardians felt a sense of happiness and pride. They were making a real difference for these special creatures. They knew that their work was helping the turtles survive for the future.

The story of the “Guardians of the Coast” spread far and wide. People from all around came to Oman’s beaches to learn about the turtles and how they could help too. The Guardians showed everyone that even small actions, like picking up trash, could have a big impact.

With each passing year, more baby turtles made their way to the sea, thanks to the Guardians’ hard work. And the beaches of Oman became a safe haven for these incredible creatures.

So, the next time you visit the beach, remember the story of the “Guardians of the Coast.” Just like them, you can be a hero for the ocean and its animals. Whether it’s picking up trash or spreading the word about protecting the environment, you too can make a difference and be a guardian of the coast!

About the author

The writer of this column is an HR and Management Expert, Writer, Intuitive Energy Healer, Reiki Master, Miracle Coach, Motivational Speaker, and a life fighter. She is also the Founder & CEO of SYNERGGIE in Oman, a leading Company that specialises in Event Management and Consulting.