New Members Join the Sea: Olive Ridley Hatchlings Released Safely
In the coastal forest region of Astaranga in Puri district, the rare Olive Ridley turtle hatching process is currently ongoing in five hatcheries. Under the supervision of forest officers Sabira Sahu and Biraja Mahapatra, a total of 65,974 eggs have been collected from hatcheries located in Daluakani, Jahania, Gangadevi river mouth, Debinashi, and the Island area by May 27. Out of these, 33,657 eggs have successfully hatched, and the hatchlings have been safely released into the sea, as informed by Sabira Sahu.
However, in recent years, environmentalists have expressed concern over the declining arrival of turtles to the Astaranga coast, mainly due to changing local conditions. While stricter coastal regulations have led to increased mass nesting at other major Odisha nesting sites like Gahirmatha and Rushikulya beaches, Astaranga has seen a drop in mass nesting, partly attributed to the activities of some local mafias.
It was in 1981 that this rare marine species first laid eggs at the Devi river mouth in Astaranga. Since then, over 800,000 turtles used to arrive annually during the winter season. But now, human-induced environmental challenges are disrupting their nesting activities. These include increased use of motorized boats, pollution of seawater, excessively bright lights from coastal shrimp farms, and violations of government regulations by fishermen concerning marine boundaries. Environmentalists have observed a visible decline in turtle visits to the Astaranga coast due to these factors.
Experts warn that a day may come when the rare Olive Ridley turtles will no longer be seen on the Astaranga coast. Therefore, discussions are underway at various levels stressing the need for awareness and urgent action to protect this endangered species.
