image credits: the hindu
Forest officials in Odisha’s Ganjam district witnessed the much-anticipated mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles Odisha, near the Rushikulya river mouth. This event, which marks one of the largest gatherings of this species on earth, saw over 11,000 turtles laying eggs on the first day alone. The nesting took place along a 4-km-long stretch known as the rookery, highlighting Odisha’s significant role in global marine biodiversity conservation.
Details of the Olive Ridley Turtles Mass Nesting Event
The mass nesting, which began on Sunday, is expected to continue for several more days. According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Berhampur, Sunny Khokkar, there are still numerous turtles in the sea, prepared to come ashore for nesting. This activity will be followed by sporadic nesting, ensuring a continuous presence of these turtles in the region.
Expectations for Huge Number of Olive Ridley Turtles
While the Rushikulya river mouth has seen an active start to the nesting season, the mass nesting at Gahirmatha, another key nesting site in Odisha, has yet to commence this year. This contrast between the two sites underscores the unpredictable yet fascinating nature of Olive Ridley’s nesting patterns.
Rabindra Nath Sahu, the secretary of the Ganjam district sea turtle protection committee, expressed optimism about this year’s nesting numbers. “We are expecting this time, a record number of turtles to lay eggs in this place,” he stated, indicating that the conditions and conservation efforts have fostered an ideal environment for the turtles.
Conservation Efforts for Turtles at Rushikulya
Basudev Tripathy, a senior scientist from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), confirmed that the timing was perfect for the mass nesting at Rushikulya. This affirmation from a scientific expert adds weight to the significance of the event, showcasing Odisha’s coast as a critical habitat for these turtles during their reproductive cycle.
The forest department has implemented several measures to safeguard the nesting turtles and their eggs. The entire 4-km stretch of the beach where nesting occurs has been fenced off to prevent human interference, with this restriction to last for the next 50 days until the hatchlings emerge. To ensure a safe nesting environment, local volunteers are involved in monitoring and protecting the area. A unique initiative involves requesting nearby civic bodies and industrial houses to turn off street lights during the nesting period to avoid disorienting the turtles, facilitating their natural nesting behavior.
The Nesting Process of Olive Ridley Turtles Odisha 2025
Each female Olive Ridley turtle digs a pit in the sand to lay between 100 to 150 eggs. After laying, she covers the pit with sand and returns to the sea, not staying to witness the hatching of her offspring. This natural process is a testament to the resilience and mystery of these marine creatures.
Odisha’s efforts in conserving the Olive Ridley turtles are commendable, with the state playing host to one of the world’s largest natural phenomena of its kind. The mass nesting supports the survival of an endangered species as well as promotes eco-tourism.
