Chalo Delhi was a clarion call given half a century ago to inspire masses to fight for freedom. An innovative call, Chalo Velas, asks you to head to a coastal village in Maharashtra to celebrate the birth of sea turtles
Chalo Delhi was a clarion call given half a century ago to inspire masses to fight for freedom. An innovative call, Chalo Velas, asks you to head to a coastal village in Maharashtra to celebrate the birth of sea turtles
Underneath a starry sky, a quiet revolution is stirring without much noise, except for the gentle lapping of waves. 
Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtle eggs lie buried under the sand. A female sea turtle comes ashore to lay her eggs, 150 at a time, before she slips back into the ocean. Her eggs lie buried in the sand for 50 days before they hatch to allow tiny sea turtles to rear their head before they glance at the world.
The Olive Ridley turtle is up against serious odds, making it an endangered species. Victims of marine pollution, indiscriminate poaching, often by ignorant locals who steal eggs, they fight an everyday struggle. Sometimes, female turtles are captured and eaten.
A silent revolution in coastal Maharashtra is making sure tourism and environmental conservation coalesce, waiting for travellers like you to take a trip to the historic coastal village of Velas.
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What is Chalo Velas?
The Chalo Velas movement, started by the Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM), offers a ray of hope for those involved in environmental conservation. Founder Bhau Katdare is a member of the Wildlife Advisory Board of Maharashtra, and with locals of the area, he's taken it upon himself to stop the poaching of turtles.
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The Turtle Festival was born six years ago to raise awareness about the sea turtles and promote Velas as a tourist spot; an easy way for locals to garner a steady income while working towards turtle preservation.
What can you expect?
The two-day festival gives you the opportunity to catch a glimpse of baby sea turtles, and get detailed accounts of the species and their importance to the environment. Their presence is vital for the health of the ocean, since they work relentlessly to keep the sea clean.
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Ek Hota Kasav, Call of the Nature and Save Turtles are some the films that will be screened this time. The Turtle Friend Award that's given to to an individual who has worked towards turtle conservation through the year, is a cash prize of Rs 2,500, and also includes a trophy and certificate. The award will be given away at a small ceremony, followed by the launch of Marine Turtle Conservation and Protection, a book by Bhau Katdare and Ram Mone. Discussions and a photo exhibition are also on the agenda.
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To cut down on the turtle overdose, we suggest you head out and explore the region that carries historical significance. It's the native place of Peshwa diplomat Nana Phadnavis, whose ancestral house stands till today. The explorers among you can take a walk down to Kelshi creek, and the nearby town of Harihareshwar famed for its Shiva temple.
Visitors are housed in the village with families who provide food and lodging, thus giving locals an opportunity to supplement their income.
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Where you can stay
Locals in nearby towns offer lodging and food facilities for a nominal amount, allowing you to get a taste of true coastal village life.
How to get there
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Head to Mumbai Central and board an MSRTC bus to Velas. It leaves at 12.30 pm, and covers the journey in about 7 hours. Another bus leaves Mumbai at 12.30 am and reaches Velas at 6.30 am.
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You can also drive down there. Leave early afternoon since you will have to arrange for accommodation at Harihareshwar, and the Turtle Festival programmes start early on Saturday. Hit the Mumbai-Panvel Highway, head to Mandgaon Highway 38 km away.
Next you'll hit the village of Massal (30 km away). Takeu00a0 the route to Shrivardhan village. Harihareshwar is 16 km from Shrivardhan. A half hour ferry ride takes you across Savitri river to Vesvi village. The barge accommodates vehicles too. Go via Bankot to Velas (4 km away).
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At: Velas, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra.
On: March 22 and March 23
Cost: Rs 100. Includes entry to all programmes. Stay and food excluded, can be arranged in nearby towns.
Call: 9421141277 / 9423049204 / 02350-220570 or send an email to turtlefestival@gmail.com
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