Saving Olive Ridley turtles: Odisha forest dept hosts training workshop in Puri

A concerted effort to strengthen the conservation of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles was undertaken by the forest department on Monday, with a dedicated training workshop in Puri. 

The training workshop was hosted at Krushnaprasad block office, designed to raise awareness among forest staff about the crucial task of conserving these marine visitors. The event was also a collaborative initiative involving employees from the Balugaon Forest Division. 

The training session highlighted the significance of guarding the turtles as they arrive on the shores under the Chilika Wildlife Division's protection, which includes areas such as Nuapada, Satapada, and Rambha. The workshop also focused to enhance awareness among forest employees regarding the protection of Olive Ridley turtles, which grace India’s coastline as seasonal visitors.

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Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) of Chilika, Amlan Nayak, who was also present at the training programme, issued clear directives to bolster protection measures for the Olive Ridley turtles along these coastal regions. Over 100 forest officials participated in the workshop, actively engaging to enhance their understanding and preparedness for safeguarding these at-risk species.

The emphasis on conservation is crucial as the Olive Ridley turtles are known for their mass nesting along the Indian coastline. This initiative not only aims to protect the turtles during their nesting period but also seeks to ensure long-term conservation success through improved knowledge and proactive protection strategies.

“We apprised the forest department officials of how to be extremely careful while working for the Olive Ridleys. With the breeding and nesting season inching nearer, it is crucial for everyone, especially local people and tourists, to be cautious and cause no harm to this rare species,” researcher Anil Mahapatra said.

“Today, a training programme was held for the forest personnel regarding the safety of Olive Ridleys. They have also been given special training on increasing facilities that will help the mating of the Olive Ridleys,” he added.

When contacted, Chilika DFO said, “Every year we conduct a divisional-level training camp/training programme where specialists and researchers are invited. They train our officials on the changing trends and the ways to protect the indigenous Olive Ridleys. The focus was on improving the existing factors and what more we can do to save these Olive Ridleys.”