Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has barred the entry of visitors to the mass nesting sites of Olive Ridley sea turtles during the period of nesting till emergence of hatchlings is completed.
““It is seen that visitors to mass nesting sites of Olive Ridley sea turtles to observe the phenomena of nesting and hatching emergence are using bright lights for observation and photography/ videography of the turtles. In some cases, inappropriate behavior of visitors is also observed. These activities together with crowding the nesting sites would be disturbing the normal process of the turtle nesting and hatching emergence to a great extent”, said the Principal CCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha in a press release.
Olive Ridley turtle is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the above-mentioned activities come under the definition of ‘hunting’ as per provisions of Section 2(16) prohibited under Section 9 of the Act.
In this context, it is ordered that, all the mass nesting sites of Olive Ridley sea turtles shall be closed for the visitors forthwith during the period of nesting till emergence of hatchlings is completed, the Principal CCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden said.