The Bhitarkanika National Park personnel on Saturday sighted an endangered Olive Ridley turtle heading towards the coast in the deep sea water of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in the Bay of Bengal.
They are now optimistic that the turtles would arrive at the coast this year for mass nesting and breeding despite cyclonic storm Phailin.
With the sighting of the turtle, the Forest personnel informed that sporadic nesting has begun at the golden beach of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. As many as four female nests were sighted at Dobandi beach between Pentha and Chinchiri mouth, said Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division DFO Kedar Swain.
“We earlier were apprehensive if the Olive Ridley Sea turtles would throng the coast this year due to the effects of Phailin that hit the Odisha coast on October 12 last. But with the sighting of a turtle at the deep sea and four nests at the coast, we are now confirmed that the mass nesting and breeding would take place as usual,” said Swain.
Generally, the endangered species, which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is found in the deep sea of the Bay of Bengal between October last week and November first week. The mating pairs generally are found in mid November, informed forest officials of Gahirmatha.
“Though it is premature to speculate anything, but the turtle experts are waiting for end of November with fingers crossed to monitor the climatic change and beach condition at Gahirmatha, Rushikulya and Devi river mouths after the return of south west monsoon. If the beach condition remains compact during the end of November, then there is every possibility that the turtle might defer mass nesting,” said a turtle researcher.
Keeping in mind that the Olive Ridley Sea turtle season is going on, the Bhitarkanika forest officials have imposed a ban order on fishing activities inside the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary around 20 km off the shore from November 1, 2012 to May 31 last. The forest officials have effectively enforced the ban order under the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983 , said DFO Swain.
The Forest department would seek help from the Coast Guard, Marine police and DRDO to conduct surveillance in and around the Wheeler Island so as to save the turtles from threat posed by the illegal trawlers. The officials have set up two off shore camps at Babubali and Agarnashi whereas more than 14 onshore camps are under construction in several places from Dhamara to Devi mouth.
This year, the Bhitarkanika National Park authority has laid stress on creating awareness on turtle protection. As a result, several meetings are being organised at the fishing jetties, and fishermen villages, the DFO informed.