Puri: Olive Ridley sea turtles have finally begun laying eggs along the coast in Puri district. As many as 112 eggs were found in pits on Kuanrpur beach under Konark Wildlife division and have been transferred safely to a temporary breeding centre there. The Forest department has come up with four temporary breeding centres at Debinasi, Jahania, Chandrabhaga and Kuanrpur this year.
On the other hand, use of motorboats and trawlers have been prohibited in five kilometre stretch from Baliharachandi to Debinasi in Astaraga area in view of the nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
Similarly, fishing in mechanized boats and vessels has also been banned in 20 kilometre area from the coast to Devi River mouth and Keluni mouth.
The Forest department has also set up a total of 13 onshore camps in different places and one offshore camp near Devi River mouth for safeguarding the turtles and their eggs.
"We visit beaches at around 4 AM to collect the eggs and then keep them in hatcheries. After hatchlings come out of the eggshells, they are kept safely inside a special room in the hatcheries and later released into the waters in the evening. If we don't go to the beach early morning to collect the eggs, they will be destroyed by dogs, jackals and wolves," said Ratha Pradhan, a guard engaged for safety and security of the turtles.
Forester Sanjay Mallick stated, "Last year, the turtles laid eggs in November but the process has been delayed this year by a month. A total of 112 eggs were collected from Kuanrpur which have been stored at the temporary breeding centre."