Puri: In a historic and unexpected turn for wildlife conservation, Olive Ridley sea turtles have laid eggs on Puri’s bustling Blue Flag Beach, which is a first in the coastal city’s recorded history.
The rare nesting event on this heavily frequented urban stretch has captivated environmentalists, local authorities, and tourists alike, highlighting both the resilience of these endangered marine creatures and the ongoing challenges they face along Odisha’s coastline.
On Sunday morning, officials of the Forest Department reached the spot and safely collected the 114 eggs, which were later shifted to a designated hatchery to ensure the safe incubation and protection.
There are 13 hatcheries along the Odisha coastline, stretching from the Devi river mouth to Puri.
Environmentalists note that Olive Ridley nesting specifically on Puri Beach has shown a declining trend in recent years. Some attribute this to perceived inadequacies in existing hatchery setups, which may not provide optimal security from disturbances, predators, or human interference. Experts suggest that such factors could be prompting turtles to seek out alternative locations, even crowded urban beaches like Puri’s Blue Flag stretch.
While sporadic nesting or scattered egg laying has already started, mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at Gahirmatha, the world’s largest, and Rushikulya rookeries is expected to begin soon. Thousands of female turtles emerge at night to lay eggs on these beaches. A 7-month fishing ban has been enforced along the 20-km coastline since November 1 to protect the sites.
