Over 10,000 Olive Ridley sea turtles have already laid eggs in the shore at the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary in Kendrapada district till Thursday. The turtles started nesting from the evening on March 16. In one day, 5,000 turtles laid eggs in the sandy beach. Thousands of turtles have thronged the beaches along the Bay of Bengal at Nasi II.
After the nesting stared, the bright lights surrounding the Nasi Island in Gahirmatha have been switched off.
The Forest Department has tightened the security of the area. A Range Officer, a Deputy Range Officer, a Forester and 20 other persons have been deputed to overlook the safety of the turtles. Fishing restriction has been imposed in the area as per the Odisha Marine Fishing Act (OMFA). Trawlers and fishermen have been directed not to fish within 20 km from coastline in the turtle nesting sites. Use of motorboats and mechanised trawlers for fishing within 5 km from the coast is prohibited.
To keep an eye on illegal fishing in the sanctuary, three trawlers and three boats have been put in place.