With over 3,55,000 eggs laid by Olive Ridley sea turtles within a week of mass nesting in the Ganjam coast, the endangered species is all set to beat all-time records in the district this year.Till the wee hours on Sunday, the Olive Ridley turtles laid this massive number of eggs along the Ganjam coast, said Brahmapur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashish Kumar Behera.
The number of the turtles had declined last year due to unknown reasons. But the number has increased this year at the Gokharkuda and Podampeta-Rushikulya river mouths.
While 3,09,000 eggs had been recorded last year, it is expected to cross a four-lakh mark this year. The Forest Department has taken high security measures for smooth and safe egg laying of the turtles, the DFO said.