Post News Network
Kakatpur, April 8: Forest officials have released about 1,680 baby Olive Ridley sea turtles into the sea at Astarang beach by Thursday.
According to forest department, at least 90 such turtles have laid eggs at Devinasi, 44 at Gangadevi, 64 at Jahania, 92 at Daluakani, 343 at Eboun Jahania so far.
The forest officials had collected about 32,189 eggs of the endangered species from these beaches and kept it at two hatcheries at Jahania and Devinasi, said Astarang forest range officer Amaresh Nath Pradhan.
About 1,500 eggs were spotted at Devinasi hatchery while 162 eggs were found at Eboun Jahania. The hatchlings were released a few metres away from the beach and they were seen crawling into the sea.
Sources said the forest officials had collected 54,000 eggs last year. However, mass nesting of the sea turtles were delayed this year and many turtles are yet to lay their eggs. Social activist Bichitrananda Biswal, who works for protection of Olive Ridleys, attributed the delay to adverse environment and unsafe beach. But thousands of such turtles are now seen engaged in mating and nesting may follow soon.
Meanwhile, the locals urged the administration to intensify patrolling in the coastal area for protection of the endangered species.
