A Lifeline for Karnataka's Coast

Program:

Karnataka's coastline supports sea turtles, dolphins, whales, porpoises and seabirds, but Uttara Kannada had no dedicated system for responding to stranded or injured marine wildlife before this programme. Launched in FY 2025, it is establishing a Marine Animal Rescue Centre in Honnavar alongside a district-wide reporting and response network, and has run training for Forest Department officials, fisheries personnel, veterinarians, conservation practitioners and fishing communities on rescue protocol, sea turtle conservation, hatchery management and scientific data collection.

Measurable Outcomes:

30+ stakeholders trained directly so far, with 5,000+ coastal community members expected to benefit as the rescue network becomes operational. The programme is still in its early build-out phase; its fuller measurable impact, in improved rescue response times and stronger biodiversity monitoring, will show over the coming years rather than in this first stretch.