Endangered Olive Ridley turtles under threat! Hundreds found dead along Puri coast

In a disturbing sight, hundreds of endangered Olive Ridley turtles were found dead along the Puri shoreline, stretching from Samuka beach to Brahmagiri and Baliharachandi. 

The coastline is now littered with decomposing carcasses, triggering alarm among locals, environmentalists, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Members of the Puri Trekking Club, shocked by the magnitude of deaths, accused the Forest Department of inaction and urged the authorities to intervene immediately. Club members even took it upon themselves to bury several carcasses to prevent pollution, demanding that officials handle cleanup and disposal responsibly.

Fishermen in Baliharachandi also expressed concern over the development. Meanwhile, some environmentalists alleged that the unregulated movement of trawlers and large fishing vessels is endangering marine life. Despite a ban on fishing within 5-20 km from the Devi River to the Astaranga estuary from November to May, trawlers reportedly operate freely, posing a threat to nesting turtles during the breeding season.

"The unregulated operation of fishing trawlers near nesting and breeding zones has led to a sharp rise in turtle deaths along the coast," said a fisherman.

"A large number of Olive Ridley turtles have died this season. Although the Forest Department usually takes necessary measures to protect them, no visible action appears to have been taken this year. Public awareness also remains low, and as a result, the loss of these endangered turtles has been severe," rued a member of the Trekking Club.

After criticism, the DFO assured that a proper investigation and post-mortem analysis would be carried out to determine the exact cause of death. However, many bodies are already in advanced stages of decay, raising doubts about how conclusive the findings will be.

Also Read: Olive Ridley deaths spark alarm as trawlers operate illegally off Odisha coast

"We have set up around 14 protection camps in Puri district, with staff deployed round-the-clock on a rotation basis. Police, marine police, coast guard, along with teams from the Forest and Fisheries Departments, are conducting regular joint patrolling. This year, we have initiated the documentation process from day one. The data gathered from the carcasses will help us determine how many turtles died naturally and how many deaths occurred due to accidental causes. After collecting and analysing data for the next two to three years, we will be in a position to present the findings with greater clarity and confidence," said Puri DFO Magar Dhanaji Raoso.

The alarming deaths serve as a warning, highlighting gaps in coastal monitoring and enforcement. Despite existing protection measures, Olive Ridley turtles remain at serious risk along the Puri coast.