Each year on May 23rd, individuals across the globe celebrate and promote awareness of turtles and tortoise which are Earth’s oldest living animals. Established in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, World Turtle Day reminds us of the pressing need to conserve these incredible animals and their environments.

Turtles and tortoise have existed more than 200 million years, enduring mass extinctions and seeing the extinctions and seeing the emergence and decline of dinosaurs. They inhabit a variety of habitats from deserts and forests to rivers, lakes and oceans. Though they have endured through the ages, they are now facing mounting threats from anthropogenic activities.

The threats turtle and tortoise encounter in the present day are many. Urbanization, deforestation and agricultural encroachment are major cause of habitat loss. In aquatic ecosystem, plastic pollution is a fatal problem, sea turtles confuse plastic bags with jellyfish and are killed by ingestion or entrapment. Climate change also influences nesting habitats and sex ratios because the temperature of sand where eggs are incubated determines hatchling sex.

Also, illicit wildlife trade and poaching for meat, shells, and the pet trade have led to precipitous decline in populations of many species. Because of this, more than half of all turtle and tortoise species are currently endangered or threated.

Turtles play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. In the oceans, sea turtles help keep seagrass beds and coral reefs healthy, which benefits countless marine species. On land, tortoise contribute to seed dispersal and help shape vegetation patters. Their survival is closely tied to the health of entire ecosystems.   

Losing turtle wouldn’t just entail losing part of our world’s natural heritage, but also perturbing highly sensitive ecological relations that sustain Earths life. 

World Turtle day is not simply about honoring the animals but action to safeguard them as well. Below are a few yet effective ways to help:

1.      Curtail plastic consumption: Use reuseable bags, containers and bottles to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the sea.

2.      Support turtle-friendly fishing: Select seafood that is responsibly sources and promotes conservation friendly practices.

3.      Defend nesting areas: Be a turtle nesting site guardian by keeping beaches free of trash and not disturbing hatchlings.

4.      Educate friends, family and social media about turtles and their importance because knowledge is power.

In Pakistan, turtle protection strategies focus on conservation, habitat preservation, and public awareness. The Sindh Wildlife Department conducts regular beach patrols during nesting seasons, particularly at Sandspit and Hawksbay in Karachi, to protect eggs and assist hatchlings. Nest relocation programs and tagging initiatives help monitor turtle populations. NGOs and conservationists run community education campaigns to discourage poaching and reduce plastic pollution. Laws under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act prohibit illegal trade and harm to turtles. Collaborative efforts with international organizations also support research and sustainable practices, ensuring long-term conservation of marine and freshwater turtle species in Pakistan.

World Turtle Day is a reminder that what we do, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can be damaging or beneficial to the natural world. Together, by defending turtles and tortoises we are defending the larger environment for generations to come. As we celebrate World Turtle Day, let’s be inspired by the slow and steady pace of turtles, beacon of wisdom, patience and resilience. With compassion, awareness and commitment, we can ensure that these incredible creatures continue to survive in the wild for many more centuries. 

About the Author: Meraj Ahsan Qureshi is a Pakistani environmentalist and HSE professional with an M.Phil. in Environmental Science. He has contributed to environmental management and safety in various industries, including roles at ICI Pakistan Limited and Mott MacDonald Pakistan. Qureshi is also active in public awareness and environmental education initiatives.