Maharashtra’s coast gets its first satellite

Data to be collected on migration routes, foraging grounds, and population patterns

For the first time on the Dahanu coast, the Mangrove Cell has fitted a satellite tag on an Olive Ridley turtle to track its journey from the shoreline. The initiative aims to collect crucial data on migration routes, foraging grounds and population patterns along India’s western coast.

The Dahanu forest division and the Mangrove Cell of the Maharashtra forest department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, satellite-tagged a female Olive Ridley at Dahanu in Palghar district. The turtle, found entangled in a fishing net on August 10, 2025, was rescued by fishermen, who noticed injuries on both front flippers and handed it over to the Turtle Treatment Centre. After treatment and full