Highlights
- Olive Ridley turtles return to the shores of Odisha for mating after several years
- Many ecological factors have contributed to this migration
- Odisha becomes a rich ecological hub in the months of winter.
One of the strange ecological events that occur straight up on the shores of Odisha beach is the lining up of several Olive Ridley turtles. The beach seems to be very typical during the other times of the year, but the winter months turn out to be special. On the one hand, migratory birds are filling up the Chilka Lake, and on the other, this rare and endangered turtle species line up for mating on the beaches of Odisha.
Nesting Sites Of Olive Ridley Turtles In Odisha
The major nesting site for these turtles on the Indian shore indicated that the environment is favorable for these sea turtles to mate. The earlier place of mating was Rushikulya rookery. Amlan Nayak, the Divisional Forest Officer from Berhampur, has stated that these little Olive Ridley turtles arise in the first half of December. They continue to mate till the end of January.
He has also stated that the forest department is taking every measure so that these little Olive Ridleys are not harmed during this period. Almost 25 pairs of mating turtles were found near the beaches in January by the Bay of Bengal.
The Behavior Of These Turtles
It has also been noted that the male returns to the distant shores after mating, whereas the females remain to take care of the eggs till March. Nesting is seen extensively on the sea beaches, and the Rookery was filled to about their week of March during the last year.
Each female turtle lays about 100 to 150 eggs in the tiny pits which they have dug. After laying the eggs, they cover up the hole with sand. The eggs hatch after two months and crawl into the sea without any help from their parents.
Steps To Protection For These Turtles
The Forest Department of Bhitarkanika National Park has taken up every possible step to allow these organisms to be a part of this new ecosystem. Intensive patrolling during the nightly hours have reduced the poaching of these mating turtles. Turtles also die by entangling in the fishing nets of the boats and trawlers.
Fish trawlers are banner to a certain extent. Beyond the shoreline, the trawlers are not allowed to move 10 km. Fencing has also begun in Bateshwar to prevent the death of these turtles. The social organizations have also saved the Olive Ridleys from going to another verge of mass extinction.
Many More To See
When we can coexist with nature, we see that many such sights might tickle our biological interest. The visit by Olive Ridley turtles is just the beginning of the new ecological changes on Earth.