
image credits: ANI
Odisha’s coastline is a vibrant stretch along the Bay of Bengal, hosting one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events, which is the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles. These endangered sea turtles, distinguished by their olive-green shells, draw global attention to our state’s beaches. Central to their protection is Operation Olivia, an initiative led by the Indian Coast Guard to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species.
Where Are Olive Ridley Turtles Found in India?

Olive Ridley turtles inhabit the warm waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In India, their primary nesting grounds are along Odisha’s coast, particularly at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, the Devi River mouth, and the Rushikulya River mouth. These sites are globally renowned for the arribada, where thousands of female turtles lay eggs simultaneously. Smaller nesting populations exist in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and along the Coromandel Coast, but Odisha remains the heart of their breeding activity in India.
Which Turtle Is Famous in Odisha?
The Olive Ridley turtle is Odisha’s most iconic marine species. Known for its small size and heart-shaped carapace, it is the most abundant yet vulnerable sea turtle globally, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Odisha’s beaches, especially Gahirmatha, attract over eight lakh turtles annually, making our state a critical hub for their conservation.
Which Is the Turtle’s Paradise of Odisha?
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district is widely regarded as the turtle’s paradise of Odisha. As the world’s largest rookery for Olive Ridley turtles, it hosts around four lakh nesting females each year. The sanctuary, part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, provides ideal sandy beaches and calm waters for the arribada. The Rushikulya River mouth in Ganjam district is another key site, recording an impressive 6.98 lakh nesting turtles in February 2025.
What Is Operation Olivia?
Origin and Objectives of The Operation

Initiated in the early 1980s by the Indian Coast Guard, Operation Olivia aims to protect Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding season from November to May. The mission focuses on ensuring safe nesting by mitigating threats such as illegal fishing and habitat disturbance. Through vigilant monitoring and enforcement, Operation Olivia safeguards Odisha’s coastal ecosystems.
What is the operation of sea turtles in India?

Operation Olivia employs a strategy combining technology and community engagement. The Indian Coast Guard deploys fast patrol vessels, air cushion vessels, and Dornier aircraft, conducting 5,387 surface patrols and 1,768 aerial sorties in 2025 to monitor nesting sites. The operation also combats illegal trawling, detaining 366 boats in the same year for violating fishing regulations. By promoting Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), the Coast Guard reduces turtle mortality in fishing nets. Partnerships with NGOs and local fishermen through formal agreements foster sustainable practices.
What is the nesting season for turtles in Odisha?
The coast of Odisha is one of the largest nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles, along with the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica. Between February and March, the female turtles come ashore to lay eggs for 3-10 days. This unique mass nesting phenomenon is called Arribada. Operation Olivia’s rigorous efforts have yielded remarkable results. In February 2025, Rushikulya recorded 6.98 lakh nesting turtles. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, the world’s largest Olive Ridley nesting site, also benefited from enhanced patrols, ensuring safe conditions for millions of hatchlings.