Chennai, Feb. 15 -- The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has decided to establish a new Marine Elite Force to prevent the deaths of Olive Ridley turtles, a vulnerable species.

This initiative comes in response to reports that over 1,308 Olive Ridley turtles have died along the Tamil Nadu coast after becoming entangled in fishing nets.

Currently, Tamil Nadu has two Marine Elite Force units that combat marine wildlife crimes such as poaching, smuggling, and illegal fishing - particularly in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere and Palk Bay.

However, the alarming rise in turtle deaths has prompted authorities to set up an additional unit to strengthen conservation efforts.

The primary cause of these turtle deaths is the use of trawl nets within five...