Bhubaneswar ,Dec 21 (Representative) A High-powered committee meeting for protection and conservation of Olive Ridley sea turtles on Friday decided to initiate steps to monitor the movement of sea turtles through satellite telemetry study. A three-year study using modern techniques has been initiated by the Wildlife Conservation Society of India (WCI) to assess the population dynamics of the Olive Ridley sea turtle along the Odisha coast, including their migration to the sea. The meeting chaired by state Chief secretary Manoj Ahuja discussed about the importance of underwater videography during the nesting season of Olive Ridleys Presiding over the meeting, the Chief Secretary said Odisha has a long coastline. Protection and conservation of Olive Ridley sea turtles is a global issue. He directed to monitor the movements of sea turtles using modern technology, create widespread awareness in the areas concerned during the nesting season and strengthen the enforcement system to take action against violators. It is our responsibility and duty to protect sea turtles and their eggs. Like the previous years, this year too, the state government is providing all necessary support in this direction and it will continue, the Chief Secretary said. These rare marine creatures come to the coastal areas of Odisha, including Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika Sanctuary, Devi River Mouth, Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary, Rushikulya Wildlife Sanctuary and the river banks in lakhs every year to lay their eggs.
The meeting attended by senior officials of the forest department, various institutions and institutes that are members of the committee held discussion on the implementation of the decisions of the meeting held in December 2023 and the steps taken for the year 2024-25. The number of egg laying was monitored in the last 10 years. In the year 2022-23, the maximum number of mass egg laying of 11.49 lakh Olive Ridley turtles was recorded in Gahirmatha coast and Rushikulya. After mass egg laying, the eggs were surrounded at the required places and strictly monitored.In the year 2023-24, there was no mass nesting of Olive Ridleys and only 3 lakh egg laying was done in various coasts. The reasons for the variation in this number were discussed. However, the exact reason for this is still a mystery. However, the seasonal work for the protection and conservation of sea turtles for the year 2024-25 has already started from November 1. The Central Monitoring Unit is working at the State Wildlife Headquarters. Funds have been allocated to the concerned Coastal Forest Division for this. A state-level meeting of local voluntary organizations and various community-based organizations was held on November 8.Field workers have been made aware of this. The Home Department has been requested to cooperate with the concerned Coastal Forest Officers in deploying the required police force from November 2024 to May 2025.
As before, high speed boats have been deployed in Rajnagar Wildlife, Bhadrak Wildlife and Berhampur (City) Divisions for the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Like last year, this year too, 66 patrolling camps (61 onshore and 5 offshore) have been instructed to work with VHF, mobile phones and other facilities.Coordination meetings are being held to jointly patrol the sea with the cooperation of the Forest Department, Indian Coast Guard, Fisheries Department and Marine Police. The meeting emphasized on holding regular coordination meetings with ITR, DRDO authorities, Chandipur, various coastal institutions, Fisheries Department officers, Port Authorities, Coast Guard and District Collectors and Security Officers of coastal districts for organizing joint sea patrolling and light control. The Fisheries and Livestock Department has notified a ban on fishing by motorized vessels, trawlers and mechanical fishing gear within 20 km of the mouths of Dhamra, Devi and Rushikulya rivers on the Odisha coast from November 1st every year to May 31st of the following year. This restriction is in effect throughout the year in the Gahirmatha Sanctuary area.In this regard, it was decided in the meeting to hold regular awareness meetings with local fishermen and other stakeholders by the DFOs.For the protection of Olive Ridley sea turtles, the District Magistrates and SPs of the coastal districts have been directed to provide necessary cooperation to the concerned DFOs as in the previous year.