Governor visits Ganjam rookery to watch mass hatching of Olive Ridleys | Bhubaneswar News
Berhampur: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, along with senior govt officials, visited the Rushikulya river mouth near Sipakuda in Ganjam district on Sunday to witness the mass hatching of baby Olive Ridley turtles.
“Visited Sipakuda in Ganjam district, a key nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. Witnessing the mass nesting and hatching was truly awe-inspiring,” the governor wrote on X.
During his visit, the governor reviewed conservation efforts with local officials emphasising the importance of community involvement to ensure the long-term survival of the species. He lauded the district administration, forest staff and local volunteers for their commitment in protecting the turtles.
Mass hatching of turtles began on Thursday along a 5-km stretch of the beach between Podampeta and Bateswar,. “Mass hatching is expected to take place for the next two to three days,” said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur.
This year, a record number of hatchlings are expected, with around 9 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Rushikulya — 6,98,698 in the first phase from Feb 16 to 23 and around 2.05 lakh in the second phase from March 22 to 27.
“Elaborate security measures have been taken to protect the baby turtles, while local volunteers have extended their helping hand to the forest staff,” said Dibya Sankar Behera, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Khallikote range.
Volunteers are collecting hatchlings, which get diverted on the beach, in buckets and releasing them into the sea.
“Visited Sipakuda in Ganjam district, a key nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. Witnessing the mass nesting and hatching was truly awe-inspiring,” the governor wrote on X.
During his visit, the governor reviewed conservation efforts with local officials emphasising the importance of community involvement to ensure the long-term survival of the species. He lauded the district administration, forest staff and local volunteers for their commitment in protecting the turtles.
Mass hatching of turtles began on Thursday along a 5-km stretch of the beach between Podampeta and Bateswar,. “Mass hatching is expected to take place for the next two to three days,” said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur.
This year, a record number of hatchlings are expected, with around 9 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Rushikulya — 6,98,698 in the first phase from Feb 16 to 23 and around 2.05 lakh in the second phase from March 22 to 27.
“Elaborate security measures have been taken to protect the baby turtles, while local volunteers have extended their helping hand to the forest staff,” said Dibya Sankar Behera, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Khallikote range.
Volunteers are collecting hatchlings, which get diverted on the beach, in buckets and releasing them into the sea.
