State to host 1st dolphin, turtle fest
Nature lovers are in for a big treat, as the state is hosting its first ever Dolphin and Turtle Festival this month.
The festival, which is being organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), will be held from March 15 to 17 at the pristine beaches of Murud Harnai and Velas respectively. Over 6,000 tourists are expected to attend the festival.
Murud beach is famous for dolphin safari, while Velas is home to the nests of the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles that migrate thousands of miles to lay eggs here. Every year, several tourists visit these places to get a glimpse of this remarkable natural phenomenon. This is the first consolidated effort from the MTDC to organise a festival to popularise the spectacle.
The MTDC has organised the dolphin festival at Murud Harnai beach in association with Suvarna Durga Paryatan Vikas Bahuudeshiya Seva Sanghatana. It has also lined up a celebrity beach cricket match and beach sports to engage tourists. The first mango of the season will also be up for taste at the festival. Along with dolphin spotting, cultural programmes will be arranged by the state cultural department.
Velas, which is one-and-a-half hour’s drive from Murud Harnai will be home to the turtle festival.
Dr Jagdish Patil, managing director, MTDC, said, “We aim at promoting these unexplored marvels of Maharashtra. This festival is a positive step in the direction of boosting an emerging breed of tourists, who are nature lovers.”
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