Odisha’s Rushikulya Beach Witnesses Record 6.41 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Nesting
Odisha’s Rushikulya Beach Witnesses Record 6.41 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Nesting
Bhubaneswar: In a historic event, 6.41 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have laid eggs at Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam district till Friday night, marking the highest-ever mass nesting at the site. The annual nesting season, which began this week and will continue until early March, has set a new record, surpassing the previous high of 6.37 lakh turtles recorded in the 2022-23 season.
Record-breaking 6.41 L Olive Ridley Turtles have arrived at Rushikulya for the arribada!
— Prem Kumar Jha (@Prem_CWLWOdisha) February 22, 2025
To ensure smooth nesting, 5 km stretch has been fenced, joint sea patrolling intensified & nearby establishments urged to dim lights till hatchlings move out to sea.#OliveRidley #Arribada pic.twitter.com/HaR3XbxTEX
According to Prem Kumar Jha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Odisha, the nesting numbers may further rise to 7 lakh by the end of the season. Rushikulya, one of India’s largest mass nesting sites, plays a crucial role in the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles, the smallest marine turtles in the world.
Mass Nesting Process & Conservation Efforts
Each Olive Ridley turtle lays 50-100 eggs in flask-shaped nests, about 1.5 feet deep, which incubate under the sand for 45-55 days before hatching. After nesting, the female turtles return to the sea, and hatchlings emerge weeks later, instinctively making their way to the ocean.
Over the last decade, Olive Ridleys have skipped mass nesting at Rushikulya in 2015-16, 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2023-24. Researchers believe this phenomenon may be linked to unseasonal rain, shifting winds, and El Niño effects, though the exact reasons remain unclear.
Few photos from Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles at Rushikulya River Rookery @ForestDeptt @PCCFWL_Odisha @pccfodisha @Ganjam_Admin pic.twitter.com/X4x4XZk5FN
— Divisional Forest Officer Berhampur (@dfobhmpr) February 19, 2025
To ensure a safe nesting environment, the Odisha Forest Department has taken multiple measures, including:
- Fencing a 5-km stretch along the coast to prevent disturbances.
- Joint sea patrolling by the Coast Guard, marine police, and forest officials to prevent fishing within 20 km of nesting sites from November 1 to May 31.
- Dimming artificial lights near nesting areas to avoid disorienting the turtles.
Additionally, the Indian Coast Guard has launched ‘Operation Olivia’, deploying drones, patrol vessels, and Dornier aircraft to protect the nesting sites from intruders and illegal activities.
Shifting Nesting Grounds & Environmental Concerns
Previously, Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha was among the world’s largest nesting sites, alongside the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica. However, coastal erosion has reduced its nesting area, leading many turtles to shift to Rushikulya.
Wildlife officials and conservationists continue to monitor and protect these endangered turtles, ensuring their safe nesting and hatching along Odisha’s coastline.
