The forest personnel of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in the last two days have been waiting eagerly for the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at the golden beach of Nasi -2 as it could take place at any time.
The environment is conducive for the turtles to lay eggs en masse, said Gahirmatha marine sanctuary ranger Subrat Kumar Patra.
According to Patra, the southern wind that is favourable for the turtle to lay eggs has started blowing though the intensity is slow.
So, at any moment, the southern wind would intensify its speed which would make the turtles to come to the golden beach of Gahirmatha.
last year, the beach condition was not conducive. Besides, a km-long sand bar was formed in front of the coast becoming a major problem for the sea turtles to reach at the beach. But this time, the sand bar has vanished which would facilitate the smooth sailing of the sea turtles toward the beach. Though about 50/60 feet long sand bar has formed this time at the Nasi-2 beach ,but it would not create any problem for turtle’s to reach at the golden beach, said the Ranger.
But this time Nasi-2 beach has got reduced a lot than last year due to beach erosion. About 20- 30 per cent of Nasi 2 beach space has eroded this year.
Meanwhile, the sea surveillance has been intensified for restricting the trawler’s entry to Gahirmatha for catching fish. This time too, the number of turtle carcasses has got reduced.
As many as 57 fishing trawlers were intercepted and 390 fishermen were arrested by the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary personnel for illegally catching fish since the forest personnel have imposed ban on trawler fishing on November 1.