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On World Turtle Day, Odisha’s enduring efforts to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtle serve as a benchmark in marine conservation. Odisha continues to play a pivotal role in the conservation of the Olive Ridley turtle, a vulnerable marine species known for its annual mass nesting phenomenon. The state’s coastline hosts three major nesting sites; Gahirmatha, Rushikulya and Devi which together attract lakhs of turtles during the nesting season. These areas are globally significant, drawing scientific attention and conservation focus every year.
Record-Breaking Nesting at Rushikulya
In 2025, Odisha's Rushikulya beach in Ganjam district witnessed an unprecedented mass nesting event, with approximately 7.8 lakh Olive Ridley turtles arriving to lay eggs. This marks the highest recorded nesting at this site, underscoring the effectiveness of the state's conservation efforts.
In the 2023–24 nesting season, Rushikulya recorded 6.57 lakh nesting turtles, while Gahirmatha saw over 4.26 lakh. Thousands more arrived at Devi, reinforcing Odisha’s position as a key habitat for the species.
Over One Crore Hatchlings Made Their Way Sea
This season, over one crore Olive Ridley hatchlings successfully made their way from the nests to the sea along Odisha’s coast. This significant number reflects the effectiveness of conservation measures in ensuring higher survival rates for the young turtles during their critical early stages.
Operation Olivia and Multi-Level Surveillance
A major part of the conservation framework is Operation Olivia, a coordinated initiative involving the Indian Coast Guard and Forest Department. Launched in the 1980s, it remains a critical effort to safeguard nesting habitats from human interference, particularly illegal trawling and netting activities. Over the past season, around 150 trawl nets were seized, and several ghost nets were removed to clear paths for the nesting turtles.
Surveillance is conducted both onshore and offshore through 65 on-ground camps and 50 sea-based units. More than 1,300 personnel were engaged in protection work this year, focusing on nesting and hatching phases.
Satellite Tracking Resumes After 15 Years
In another significant step for Olive Ridley conservation, Odisha Forest Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, has resumed satellite tracking of the turtles at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary after a 15-year gap.
Two female turtles were tagged with Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs), equipped with GPS, temperature sensors, and surface time counters. These tags, which detach naturally during molting, send real-time data to WII’s research centre in Dehradun. The project aims to map migration routes and identify threats like fishing net entanglement, which causes 8,000–10,000 turtle deaths annually in Odisha.
Sustained Involvement From Local Communities
Odisha’s conservation model also includes active engagement with coastal communities. Local fishers are sensitised on turtle-safe practices and involved in awareness drives, which have led to a notable decline in violations and improved monitoring of hatchlings reaching the sea.
While the Olive Ridley turtles return each year with remarkable fidelity, it is Odisha’s continuous, structured protection mechanisms that enable their survival , offering a quiet yet powerful testament to marine conservation on World Turtle Day.
