Bhubaneswar: Odisha is seeing a decline in the number of Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings in recent years. Fewer number of Olive Ridley nests were noticed in the coastal areas of Puri district this year.
Sources said over 16,000 eggs were collected from 252 nests till February 21 last year. But this year, the forest department spotted just 30 nests there. Forest department officials and environmentalists were worried over the development and an investigation has been launched into the matter.
The forest department used to collect eggs from Olive Ridley nests at Debinasi and Jahania areas under Astaranga forest range and Kaanpur and Chandrabhaga areas under Konark forest range.
“This year we have spotted less nests in these areas, whereas we had collected many eggs last year,” said Bhagirathi Kandi, a watcher in Chandrabhaga.
The Puri wildlife division has begun investigations to find out why there was a dip. The forest department is meanwhile creating awareness among people about the significance of sea turtles’ arrival for hatchlings here.
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