Odisha Govt to Protect Rare Olive Ridley Turtles

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will provide all kinds of support for the protection and preservation of the rare olive ridley turtles, said Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena on Sunday.

Presiding over the high powered committee meeting for the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley sea turtles, the Chief Secretary said, “Olive ridley turtles are playing an important role in terms of tourism in our state.”

Lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs every year at Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika , Devi River Mouth, Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary, Rushikulya riverbank of Odisha. Steps are being taken every year by the State Government to protect the turtles and their eggs. Like the previous year, this year too, the Government is providing necessary support in this regard.

The Chief Secretary emphasized on the need to assign the responsibility of research to the institutions or institutions that are innovating in the field of good research.

More than 5.12 lakh turtles laid eggs off the Gahirmatha coast from 9 to 13 March, 2023, and around 6.37 lakh turtles at Rushikulya between 23 February and 2 March. After the mass egg donation, the eggs were cordoned off for protection and a strict vigil was kept.