Turtle eggs were long considered a delicacy on India's western coast. But since the beginning of this century, there's been a big turnaround. The olive ridley sea turtle has now been listed as an endangered species and locals in the village of Velas are working to protect it. Thanks to an NGO, residents now collect and preserve the eggs, rather than eating them.
The beaches are also being cleared of plastic waste. These days, they've become a major tourist attraction, with visitors coming to watch the turtle eggs hatch. The animals are now held in high esteem. Since the village doesn't have a history of tourism, locals have offered up their homes to tourists. The program is supported by the International Climate Initiative.