Record mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles at Rushikulya river mouth 

Nature, state forest department, and local communities ensure safe haven for guest turtles 

By Prakash Panigrahi

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 24: The Rushikulya river mouth, a scenic stretch along the Bay of Bengal in Odisha’s Ganjam district, witnessed a remarkable natural spectacle as record numbers of Olive Ridley sea turtles arrived for mass nesting here this season. This nesting site, along with Odisha’s Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, is renowned as one of the world’s most significant rookeries for these endangered marine creatures. Between February 16 and 24, over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles gathered at Rushikulya, marking a historic nesting event. 

According to Dibya Sankar Behera, the assistant conservator of forests (ACF) at Khallikote, the mass nesting continued until February 24, with 6,98,718 turtles laying eggs this year, surpassing the previous record of 6.37 lakh set in 2023. In comparison, 6,37,008 turtles nested between February 23 and March 2 last year, while 5.50 lakh turtles laid eggs in 2022. 

Community Support and Conservation Efforts 

The remarkable success of this year’s nesting season can be attributed to the unwavering support of the local communities, particularly the fishermen. Usually dependent on marine fishing for their livelihoods, they cooperated fully with the government’s directives to halt fishing activities during the nesting period. Their commitment to preserving the turtles’ habitat was instrumental in ensuring a disturbance-free environment. In addition, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding these guest turtles, which travel thousands of miles to nest on Odisha’s shores. 

Favorable Climate and Protective Measures 

Experts believe that favorable climatic conditions also contributed to the mass nesting phenomenon. To ensure the safety of the eggs, the forest department implemented protective measures, including fencing along new nesting areas from New Podampeta to Prayagi, covering approximately a 9-kilometer stretch. 

“We installed fences to protect the eggs from predators such as dogs and jackals. Every precaution was taken to safeguard the eggs,” said ACF Behera. 

Spectacle of Nature: The Arribada 

The mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles is known as ‘arribada,’ a Spanish term describing the synchronised nesting of thousands of female turtles. After 45 days, the eggs are expected to hatch, and the newborn hatchlings will instinctively make their way to the sea, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle. 

“This year’s extraordinary nesting event at Rushikulya is a testament to the harmonious collaboration between nature, local communities, and conservation authorities, ensuring a safe haven for these majestic marine visitors,” said Dr Prakash Jena, a leading environment activist.

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