The forest department at Purunabandh celebrated World Turtle Day on Saturday near the famous Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district, Odisha, with a focus on raising awareness about the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles. Millions of these turtles visit the river mouth for mass nesting, making Rushikulya one of the world's major rookeries for the species.
Mass Nesting Highlights
This year, over 2.5 lakh Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at the Rushikulya river mouth, despite the turtles skipping mass nesting at Gahirmatha, another rookery on the Odisha coast. In contrast, last year saw a record number of over 9 lakh turtles laying eggs in two phases. "It shows the importance of the rookery and Olive Ridley turtles," said Dibya Shankar Behera, assistant conservator of forests, Khallikote. He noted that the turtles travel miles in the sea to reach the coast because they feel safe there, and he requested local residents to extend their cooperation to ensure the turtles' safety.
Call for Conservation
Shankar Naraya Bej, a retired block education officer, described the turtles as dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, millions of years ago, and emphasized that their protection is highly needed now. "The cooperation of local fishermen is vital for millions of turtles which visit the shore," he said. The event also featured addresses by wildlife activist Ribindra Nath Sahu, researcher Ashish Kumar Das, and marine biologist Subrat Debata. They highlighted this year's theme, "I love turtle," and stressed the importance of maintaining clean and garbage-free beaches to attract Olive Ridleys.
Community Participation
Several fishermen, others who depend on the sea, local volunteers, and community members attended the meeting. Wildlife activists urged the government to establish a research centre near the rookery to facilitate scientists studying the oldest sea creatures. The collective effort underscores the need for ongoing conservation measures to protect these ancient marine reptiles.
