Bhubaneswar: A massive influx of rare Olive Ridley turtles has descended upon the Rushikulya river mouth beach Ganjam for their annual mass nesting with an impressive 11,000-plus turtles doing so on the first day alone.
According to the Forest Department, the turtles have started laying eggs on the beach near the Batighar temple in Ganjam district. Each turtle lays around 120 eggs, which hatch after 45 days.
As per reports, the mass nesting process, which usually occurs between November and May, has begun due to favourable weather conditions and the arrival of southern winds. To ensure the safe and secure nesting process, the Forest Department has set up a 5-km-long fence around the nesting site.
The Forest Department officials are keeping a close watch on the nesting site to ensure the safety of the turtles and their eggs. To protect the turtles and their habitat, the Forest Department has declared a 20 km stretch of the coast from Aryapalli to Prayagi as a no-fishing zone from November 1 to May 31.
Meanwhile, to minimize disruptions to the nesting process officials have appealed to local civic bodies and industrial establishments to switch off street lights during the mass nesting period, creating a conducive environment for the turtles to nest safely and smoothly.
