Puri: In an encouraging development, an Olive Ridley sea turtle has laid eggs at the Blue Flag Beach in Puri for the first time. According to reports, the turtle came ashore late on Saturday night and laid around 114 eggs on the beach.
The nesting activity was first noticed by the Blue Flag Beach staff, who immediately secured the area and kept the eggs under close watch throughout the night to prevent any disturbance.
On Sunday morning, officials of the Forest Department reached the spot and safely collected the eggs. The eggs were later shifted to a designated hatchery for proper incubation and protection.
As part of conservation measures for Olive Ridley turtles, the Forest Department has set up as many as 13 hatcheries along the Puri coastline, stretching from the Devi river mouth to Puri. These hatcheries are meant to ensure the safe incubation of eggs and improve the survival rate of hatchlings.
Officials have also taken several precautionary steps along the coastline so that the endangered Olive Ridley turtles can come ashore without disturbance during the nesting season.
Wildlife experts and conservationists see the development as a positive sign for the protection of the species along the Odisha coast.
