Bhubaneswar, Dec 17 (UNI) The Odisha Government has constituted a High-Powered Committee to strengthen the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley sea turtles in view of the upcoming 2025–26 mass nesting season.
The committee met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, with participation from senior officials of various departments and institutions, including Additional Chief Secretary of Home, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Satyabrata Sahu.
The meeting reviewed conservation measures undertaken in previous years and discussed strategies for the forthcoming nesting season.
A detailed presentation highlighted mass nesting trends along the Odisha coast over the past decade, with special focus on the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and the Rushikulya river mouth—two major nesting sites.
Members were informed that during 2022–23, about 11.49 lakh turtles nested at Gahirmatha and Rushikulya, while in 2023–24, around 3.01 lakh turtles nested only along the Rushikulya coast. Remarkably, in 2024–25, nesting numbers surged to a record 15.11 lakh turtles, with 6.07 lakh at Gahirmatha and 9.04 lakh at Rushikulya.
Though the precise reasons remain unclear, favourable environmental conditions and global factors were cited as possible contributors.
The committee reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during the December 18 meeting last year and assessed actions undertaken in 2024–25, while finalising preparations for the 2025–26 season.
Seasonal conservation measures are already in effect from November 1 and will continue until May 31. A Central Monitoring Unit is operating at the State Wildlife Headquarters, supported by high-speed boats, trawlers and auxiliary vessels for surveillance.
According to official sources, 67 patrolling camps equipped with ancillary facilities will be operational across coastal forest divisions.
Joint sea patrolling is being conducted through coordination meetings at the divisional level with the cooperation of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police. The meeting acknowledged that strong inter-departmental coordination has led to commendable conservation outcomes.
To safeguard the turtles, the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department has imposed a ban from November 1 to May 31 on mechanised fishing within a 20-km radius of Dhamra Port, the Devi river mouth and the Rushikulya river mouth.
In the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, this restriction remains in force year-round. Strict legal enforcement and action against violators are being ensured.
Recognising the economic impact on fishermen during the nesting season, the Chief Secretary emphasised timely compensation to protect their livelihoods.
He underlined that mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coast is a rare and unique natural phenomenon and called for continued coordination among all concerned departments to ensure safe nesting and long-term conservation.
To further enhance scientific understanding, a satellite telemetry study to track turtle movement and nesting sites will be carried out from 2025 to 2029.
The meeting was attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Suresh Panth; senior officials from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, and Home Departments; Scientist Dr R. Suresh Kumar from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun; Divisional Forest Officers from coastal regions; representatives of Dhamra, Paradip and Gopalpur ports; officials from DRDO/ITR Chandipur; the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard; and representatives of other coastal institutions.
UNI DP RN