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These turtles are categorized as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. (Photo Credits: X)
Olive Ridley Turtles have finally emerged on the nesting beach to lay eggs on the quiet beach of Nasi-2 island in Gahirmatha.
Every year, the olive ridley sea turtles make their way to Odisha’s Gahirmatha beach for mass nesting. According to The Statesman, this year, there was a month’s delay in their arrival, reportedly due to the choppy sea and periods of unseasonal rain. The turtles chose Gahirmatha beach because of its unique topography which keeps the beach safe from wave erosion. This is believed to be the best known nesting ground in the world for olive ridley turtles. All species of sea turtles in India, including the olive ridley, are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits their hunting, domestication, or trade.
On Wednesday, IFS officer Susanta Nanda shared a video that captures the turtles climbing the beach at night. He wrote, “The wonderful phenomenon of Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting at Gahirmatha has begun. Lakhs of them will visit our beach to lay eggs in the coming days. The department is fully prepared to ensure the safety of our annual visitors.”
May the phenomenon continue forever.— Lala Aswini K Singh (@Lala_Aswini) April 4, 2024
Commenting on it, user X wrote, “May the phenomenon continue forever.” People also noted that the beach was completely dark and that there were no artificial lights around it which often distracts the turtles who are innately attracted to light sources. Making this comment, user X wrote, “Great to see no artificial lights around, great job.”
Great to see no artificial lights around, great job – Subhajitwild (@subhajitreehug) April 3, 2024
The female turtles invade Gahirmatha beach to nest between February and March. Each turtle usually lays 120-150 eggs, in conical nests that are dug 1.5 feet deep. The nesting process takes place over three to 10 days. After laying the eggs, the female turtles return to the sea. The hatchlings emerge after 45 to 60 days and soon make their way to the ocean at night as they follow the light reflected on the ocean surface.
The olive ridley sea turtles are categorized as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Every year, the government uses a series of measures to ensure that the turtles nest, hatch and return to the ocean happen smoothly.
The Gahirmatha coast is considered a “marine sanctuary”. It has a general ban on sea fishing throughout the year. Coast guards and forest department officials keep an eye on the coast to make sure the nesting grounds are not disturbed. Additionally, to prevent sea turtles from being accidentally caught in fishing nets, the Government of Odisha has made it mandatory for mechanized fishing trawlers to use Turtle Exclusion Devices or TEDs. It is a specially designed net that comes with an exit cover that keeps the catch but the turtles from escaping.
