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All India PT Mock Test 2025 (OMR Based)
18th April 2025 (12 Topics)

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Context

An Olive Ridley turtle tagged as 03233, originally from Gahirmatha beach in Odisha, completed an extraordinary 4,500 km migratory journey to Guhagar beach in Maharashtra, leading to a successful nesting — a rare feat documented in turtle conservation history.

Conservation and Ecological Significance

  • New Migration Pattern – Shift in Conservation Maps: Turtle 03233's route expands known Olive Ridley migratory corridors beyond Odisha's mass nesting sites, warranting updates in marine conservation zones.
  • Cross-Coastal Ecology – India’s Marine Biodiversity: This journey, possibly circling Sri Lanka, underlines the need for integrated marine ecosystem policies across eastern and western coasts.
  • First-of-its-Kind Record – Scientific Breakthrough: If confirmed, this would be the first documented long-range migration among Olive Ridleys in the Indian Ocean, altering existing scientific assumptions.

Conservation Technology and Challenges

  • Tagging Tools – Cost-effective Tracking Methods: Titanium and inconel flipper tags, while affordable, offer limited accuracy compared to GPS, highlighting the need for scalable yet precise tracking technologies.
  • Data Gaps – Need for Research Infrastructure: The uncertainty in tracking underscores the need for long-term ecological monitoring systems and marine biodiversity data platforms.
  • Policy Implication – Protection Beyond Arribada Zones: Conservation efforts must extend to less-known nesting beaches like Guhagar, ensuring decentralised protection of turtle habitats.

Symbolism and Environmental Ethos

  • Endurance as Ecological Insight – Long-term Survival Strategies: The turtle’s solitary journey is a metaphor for resilience, reflecting species adaptation in unpredictable marine ecosystems.
  • Shift from Mass to Individual – Conservation Philosophy: It challenges the focus on mass nesting events, urging attention to individual ecological stories and decentralized conservation models.
  • Inspirational Value – Public Awareness and Stewardship: 03233’s journey offers a compelling narrative to engage citizens in marine conservation, bridging science and emotional resonance.
Practice Question:
Q. The migratory journey of Olive Ridley Turtle 03233 from Odisha to Maharashtra has significant ecological, conservation, and policy implications. Examine the importance of migratory species in shaping marine conservation strategies in India. Suggest ways to strengthen coastal biodiversity monitoring.
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