Over 6.82 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Arrive for Mass Nesting at Odisha’s Rushikulya Beach
4 min read
Record-Breaking Numbers Mark This Year’s ‘Arribada’ as Conservation Efforts Pay Off
Ganjam, Odisha: In a remarkable natural event, over 6.82 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have arrived at Rushikulya Beach in Odisha for their annual mass nesting, setting a new record for the region. The event, known as Arribada (a Spanish term meaning ‘arrival by sea’), began on February 16, 2025, and is expected to continue until February 25, according to Rabindranath Sahu, Secretary of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Group.
This year’s nesting numbers have surpassed the previous record of 6.37 lakh turtles in 2023, when the nesting season stretched from February 23 to March 2. In 2022, the number stood at 5.50 lakh, indicating a steady increase in nesting activity.
Why Is Rushikulya Crucial for Olive Ridley Turtles?
Rushikulya, located in Odisha’s Ganjam district, is one of the most significant nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles in India, alongside Gahirmatha and Devi River estuaries. The region has witnessed an unprecedented surge in nesting this year, which experts attribute to favorable weather conditions and improved conservation efforts.
Expert Insights on the 2025 Nesting Boom
- Favorable Climate & Nesting Conditions:
Dr. Bivas Pandav, a senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India, highlighted that stable temperatures and optimal beach conditions have encouraged more turtles to lay eggs. - Better Conservation Measures:
Dr. Basudev Tripathy from the Zoological Survey of India anticipates a higher hatchling survival rate due to the timely nesting cycle. Turtle eggs typically take 45 to 50 days to hatch.
Government & Conservation Efforts in Place
- Fencing and Security:
To protect eggs from predators and human disturbances, the government has installed a 9-kilometer protective fence stretching from New Podampeta to Prayagi, said Dibya Shankar Behera, Range Officer at Khallikote. - Operation Olivia by the Indian Coast Guard:
The Indian Coast Guard has intensified its annual Operation Olivia, a turtle conservation program initiated in 1991, to safeguard the nesting grounds from poaching, fishing net entanglement, and pollution. - GPS Tracking for Research:
Between 2021 and 2023, over 330 GPS-tagged turtles were recaptured by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India, confirming Rushikulya’s importance as a key nesting habitat.
Rare Daytime Nesting – A Spectacle for Visitors
Unlike previous years, where nesting primarily occurred at night, Olive Ridley turtles have been arriving in broad daylight, offering a rare and breathtaking experience for onlookers. Indian Forest Services officer Parveen Kaswan shared a video of the phenomenon on February 22, calling it “nature’s extravaganza.” The footage, originally posted by the Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer, has already gained over 40,000 views on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Supriya Sahu, a senior official from Tamil Nadu, also posted about the event, stating that nearly 3 lakh turtles had arrived on Odisha’s shores, reinforcing their crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
The Significance of Olive Ridley Turtles
- Named for their distinctive olive-green shells, Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- These turtles play a vital role in marine biodiversity, helping regulate the population of jellyfish and other sea creatures.
- Female turtles lay over 100 eggs per nest, digging pits along the shore, before returning to the ocean, leaving the hatchlings to survive independently.
watch the video below:
A spectacle of nature is unfolding in Odisha. Around 3 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have arrived for their annual mass nesting, known as arribada. In a rare event, this year’s nesting is diurnal. These turtles play a crucial role in maintaining the marine ecosystem, and their return… pic.twitter.com/vcOrsOfTmW
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) February 19, 2025
A Call for Continued Conservation Efforts
The record-breaking numbers this year signal a positive impact of conservation efforts, but experts warn that long-term protection remains critical. Illegal fishing practices, climate change, and habitat destruction still pose significant threats.
The Odisha Forest Department, Indian Coast Guard, and conservation groups continue to work together to ensure these endangered turtles have a safe breeding environment. With rising public awareness and government intervention, the Rushikulya beach mass nesting event remains one of India’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.
Conclusion
This year’s Arribada at Rushikulya is a conservation success story, proving that proactive measures can lead to a thriving environment for endangered species. The sight of hundreds of thousands of Olive Ridley turtles returning to Odisha’s shores is not only a visual spectacle but also a beacon of hope for marine conservationists worldwide.
Follow India Prime Times for more news and analysis on the latest happenings across the nation.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Prime Times
