Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles washed ashore in Ganjam

Forest officials have recovered over 150 dead turtlesfrom different places in the coastal areas in Ganjam district during the last one month.

Forest officials, however, said the mortality of theturtlesas not very alarming.

"Most of the carcasses were found decomposed. We suspect these were washed ashore to Ganjam coast from Astaranga areas in Puri district, where a number of turtles were found dead recently," Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Berhampur, S S Mishra aid today.

While some of theturtlesfaced natural deaths, others died due to some other reasons in the deep sea, said another senior officer.

Wildlife activists, however, said more turtles have died than the official claim. "Due to lack of strict patrolling and wanton fishing by the trawlers the endangered marine creatures died", Biswajit Mohanty, an activist said.

He claimed that over 4000 carcasses were washed ashore off Odisha cost in the last one month. Majority of them were found between Astaranga and Konark in Puri district.

"We have demanded deployment of speed boat for patrolling since last several years. I dont understand why the forest department ignores it and hires fishing boats for patrolling," Mohanty said.

"Since several pairs of the endangered marine species have been sighted inside the sea, surveillance measures have been tightened in the coastal area in order to provide congenial atmosphere to them", forest officials said.

The forest personnel along with local volunteers have been guarding the matingturtlesin the Bay of Bengal, while the Coast Guards have been looking after their safety.

The government has also imposed ban on fishing in around 170-km long costal area in the state from November 1 to May 31 from 5 to 10 km away from the shore to protect theturtles.

Millions of Olive Ridleyturtlescomeashorebetween Kantiagada and Gokaharakuda beach near Rushikulya mouth during February for mass nesting every year. It is considered as the second major mass nesting site for the Olive Ridley after Gahiramatha in Kendrapara district. Besides Gahiramatha and Rushikulya mouth, Devi river mouth is also another place for mass nesting of turtles.