Kendrapara: Odisha government will impose seven-month fishing ban in and around Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary from November 1 to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles during mass-nesting season.
Ban will remain in force till May 31, 2027, covering sanctuary and adjoining waters up to 20 km into Bay of Bengal off Kendrapada coast. It will be enforced under Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Odisha Marine Fishing Rules, 1983.
Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division, Varadaraj Gaonkar said Forest Department will launch awareness drives to seek cooperation of fishing communities.
“We are going to launch awareness campaigns among fishing communities to secure their cooperation in protecting and conserving Olive Ridley turtles,” he said. Gahirmatha, recognised as world’s largest rookery of Olive Ridley turtles, hosts thousands of turtles every year for ‘Arribada’ – the mass-nesting phenomenon.
To ensure undisturbed nesting, Bhitarkanika Forest Division will coordinate with Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and Fisheries Department. Surveillance and patrolling will be intensified to check illegal fishing.
Conservationists remain concerned as turtles had skipped mass-nesting at Gahirmatha last year. The ban is expected to safeguard breeding grounds and strengthen state’s marine biodiversity conservation efforts.
