Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The number of olive ridley turtles nesting along Orissa coast has been growing consistently over the last seven years.
According to statistics released by the state government, 7.22 lakh olive ridleys nested along the State’s coast during 2014-15, a jump of 28,000 turtles compared with 6.94 lakh turtles estimated in 2012-13.
In the year 2008-09, 4.28 lakh olive ridleys had nested on the coast and the number increased to 5.13 lakh in 2009-10.
“As the nesting season of 2015-16 has started, the turtles have begun to move toward deep sea for breeding. Due to protection and conservation activities, there has been a constant increase in nesting of the turtles along Orissa coast,” a government official said.
The state government is considering protection of these marine creatures to facilitate smooth nesting for them. Recently, the state government banned fishing along the coast.
The department of forests and environment has also requested to Coast Guard to inform the officials of any illegal fishing.
Marine police have been also advised to utilise their vessels to chase and capture trespassers.
Chief Secretary GC Pati had recently reviewed the steps taken for conservation of olive ridleys at a recent meeting on protection and conservation of these endangered turtles.
Too much lighting along the beach creates significant distraction for turtle hatchlings, so Dhamara and Paradip ports have been asked to follow the dark sky lighting technology which will prevent disorientation of turtles.