In a good news to keep you smiling all day long, the Olive Ridley turtles seem to have found one beach clean enough to nest, with around 80 hatchlings making their way to the Arabian Sea on Thursday.

A group of volunteers engaged in a clean-up of the Versova beach stumbled upon the sight of Olive Ridley hatchlings on the beach. They called forest officials and ensured the turtles walked into the sea sans any hindrance.

When the group noticed the hatchlings, Mumbai-based lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah, who began the beach clean-up drive in 2015, was also present.

“We were told by officials that the last such sighting of Olive Ridley turtles on the beach was 20 years ago,” Shah told PTI.

Later the activist took to Twitter and wrote, “Week 127.

Fantastic news for Mumbai .

We got back Olive Ridley Sea Turtle after 20 years. Historic moment

Nested and Hatched at  our beach. We facilitate their journey to ocean.

Constant cleaning helps marine species.

Marine conservation centre needed at @versovabeach”

Week 127 .

Fantastic news for Mumbai .

We got back Olive Ridley Sea Turtle after 20 years. Historic moment

Nested and Hatched at our beach. We facilitate their journey to ocean.

Constant cleaning helps marine species.

Marine conservation centre needed at @versovabeach pic.twitter.com/j79xCKamNh

— Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) March 22, 2018

N Vasudevan, additional principal chief conservator of forests, told PTI: “We haven’t noticed any nesting of turtles on Versova beach in the last several years. They normally lay eggs at places they feel safe and secure.”

“In Maharashtra, we keep noticing sporadic nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, including on the Ratnagiri, Raigad and Palghar coast,” Vasudevan added.

In July last year, an adult Olive Ridley turtle was rescued from Juhu beach in suburban Mumbai. Animal activists had rushed the turtle to a local vet clinic.

The Olive Ridley sea turtle (scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific Ridley sea turtle, is a medium-size species of sea turtle found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

(With agency inputs)