Thousands of olive ridleys turn up at Odisha’s Gahirmatha

Kendrapara: Good news for wildlife lovers, as thousands of olive ridley turtles have arrived at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district for breeding and mass nesting.

In view of arrival of endangered sea turtles, the forest department had made all sorts of arrangements for safety of these aquatic animals.

According to reports, as many as 18 camps have been set up and more than 50 forest officials have been deployed to protect the olive ridleys.

Besides, two temporary camps have been built at Babubali and Agarnasi islands. Also, two speed boats have been engaged for patrolling in the sea.

Meanwhile, the state government has imposed a seven-month ban on fishing along the seawaters of Gahirmatha. The ban is in force from Nov 1, 2019 till May 31, 2020. With the move, the fishermen are prohibited from fishing within 20 km off the coastline in the turtle nesting sites.

Gahirmatha beach off the Bay of Bengal is the world’s largest known nesting place of olive ridley turtles.

The sea turtles turn up at Rushikulya River mouth and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary every year during winter for mass nesting. They lay eggs in March following mating and the hatchlings come out by May.