Olive Ridleys begin mating near Rushikulya river mouth
Berhampur: Olive Ridley sea turtles have begun mating near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district, signalling the start of their nesting season, officials said.
Forest officials spotted several mating pairs approximately 2-3 km offshore. “This marks the beginning of the nesting season,” said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur.
Following mating, female turtles will come ashore to lay eggs in pits they dig in the sand. Hatchlings are expected to emerge 45-50 days after nesting.
“If weather conditions remain favourable, mass nesting should occur in mid-Feb,” said Rabindra Sahu, secretary of the Ganjam District Sea Turtle Protection Committee.
The forest department has implemented comprehensive measures, including the establishment of nine protection units and increased sea patrolling in collaboration with Coast Guard. “We’re conducting regular beach cleaning and have started fencing a 6-km area from Purunabandh to Bateswar,” said Diby Lochan Behera, range officer, Khallikote.
Govt has imposed a fishing ban within 20 km of the coast from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect the turtles during their nesting period. A record 6.37 lakh turtles laid eggs along a 3-km stretch from Podampeta to Bateshwar between Feb 23 and March 3 in 2023. The Rushikulya rookery didn’t witness mass nesting last year but officials are hopeful about a large number of turtles arriving for nesting this time.
Forest officials spotted several mating pairs approximately 2-3 km offshore. “This marks the beginning of the nesting season,” said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur.
Following mating, female turtles will come ashore to lay eggs in pits they dig in the sand. Hatchlings are expected to emerge 45-50 days after nesting.
“If weather conditions remain favourable, mass nesting should occur in mid-Feb,” said Rabindra Sahu, secretary of the Ganjam District Sea Turtle Protection Committee.
The forest department has implemented comprehensive measures, including the establishment of nine protection units and increased sea patrolling in collaboration with Coast Guard. “We’re conducting regular beach cleaning and have started fencing a 6-km area from Purunabandh to Bateswar,” said Diby Lochan Behera, range officer, Khallikote.
Govt has imposed a fishing ban within 20 km of the coast from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect the turtles during their nesting period. A record 6.37 lakh turtles laid eggs along a 3-km stretch from Podampeta to Bateshwar between Feb 23 and March 3 in 2023. The Rushikulya rookery didn’t witness mass nesting last year but officials are hopeful about a large number of turtles arriving for nesting this time.
