The Hindu Business Line : Olive Ridleys return to Gahirmatha coast for nesting

New Delhi, March 25 Amid rising protests from environmental organisations against the commencement of dredging at the Dhamra Port project, the return of mass-nesting of the Olive Ridley turtles at the Nasi islands off the Gahirmatha coast is now being reported.

“The turtles have commenced their annual rendezvous to Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary for mass-nesting and their numbers are expected to go beyond four lakh this year. This development has happened just few days after some environmental protection groups predicted dredging at Dhamra Port as a threat to the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles. However, the turtles have come back to lay eggs on Gahirmatha beaches,” said a release issued by the Dhamra Port Company Ltd — a joint venture of L&T and Tata Steel.

The turtles which had already congregated in the sea near Gahirmatha came ashore for nesting in groups of 5,000 to 10,000 each, the release said. Last month, nearly 2.5 lakh turtles laid eggs at the Rushikulya beach in Ganjam district, it said. The turtle eggs usually take 45 days to hatch. The hatchlings make their way into the sea once they come out.

According to the divisional forest officer of Bitharkanika National Park, Mr Prasanna Kumar Behera, has estimated that about four lakh turtles would lay eggs within a week, the release said. Two years ago, about 3.5 lakh turtles had laid eggs on this beach, it added.

Environmental organisation Greenpeace, which has spearheaded the protests against the port, said that it welcomed the news of return of mass-nesting of the turtles off the Gahirmatha coast.

“We are absolutely delighted to see the turtles return to Gahirmatha… However, this episode of mass nesting cannot be used as a smokescreen by port promoters in projecting that all is fine.

“It would be dangerous to assume so since this nesting does not mean that the turtles and the adjoining ecologically sensitive areas, including the Bitharkanika National Park are safe. Our concerns… remain.”

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Olive Ridleys return to Gahirmatha coast for nesting

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