TV
Rushikulya beach in Ganjam district has witnessed an unprecedented gathering of Olive Ridley turtles for their annual mass nesting this year.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Prem Kumar Jha, informed on Friday that approximately 6,50,000 turtles have descended upon the Rushikulya shore in Odisha so far this year, setting an all time new record.
Mass nesting season underway
As per reports, the mass nesting of the endangered sea turtles commenced over a week ago and is projected to continue for an additional four to five days. It is anticipated that the total number of nesting turtles may reach between 7,00,000 to 7,50,000 at Rushikulya beach this year.
Anticipation for Gahirmatha
After the two-week nesting period in Rushikulya, the Olive Ridley turtles are expected to begin nesting at Gahirmatha. “This event is projected for the second week of March,” said PCCF Prem Kumar Jha.
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The annual arrival of these turtles holds significant ecological importance, with the nesting sites in Odisha being among the most prominent for the species worldwide. Conservation efforts remain critical in ensuring the protection and success of this endangered species.
“Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at Rushikulya beach has already started. Around 6.5 lakh turtles have already arrived in the last one week and it is an all-time record. The turtles have never arrived at the beach in such a large number. There was no mass nesting of the turtles at the beach last year. Fewer turtles had arrived at the beach in 2022-2023,” said Jha.
