Olive Ridley turtle nesting to be broadcast live

The state government is planning to set up a Marine Biodiversity Interpretation Centre as part of an eco-tourism project at Boxipalli, a fishermen village about a km from Gopalpur-on-Sea, officials said.

Thousands of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles visit Rushikulya in February and March every year for mass nesting.

Hundreds of visitors, including researchers and nature lovers, throng the mass nesting spot to witness the unusual sight.

"With a direct telecast, visitors can witness the annual phenomenon without going to the spot," divisional forest officer (Berhampur) S S Mishra said adding that it will also help reduce the crowd which might disturb the turtles during nesting at Ganjam coast.

"The project will help boost the tourism industry in the district as the tourists who visit Gopalpur will also visit Baxipalli," Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi said.

The eco-tourist complex, according to DFO will be run by local people. The main objective of the project was to provide alternative livelihood to the marine fishermen of the area during the period of fishing ban in the sea, he said.

The government has imposed prohibition on fishing in Ganjam coast from November 1 to May 31 for safety of the Olive Ridleys.