IAS Mentoring – Simple Steps to Acheive IAS

Olive Ridley turtles, scientifically known as Lepidochelys olivacea, are one of the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species in the world.
They are known for their extraordinary behavior called Arribada, a phenomenon in which thousands of female turtles come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs on specific beaches.
Despite their numbers, the species is listed as "Vulnerable" under the IUCN Red List, due to threats from human activities and natural challenges.
These turtles inhabit warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans and migrate long distances between feeding and breeding grounds.

India, especially the state of Odisha, is globally recognized as one of the largest nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles.
The three major mass nesting sites in Odisha include
- Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary,
- the Rushikulya river mouth, and
- the Devi river mouth.
These beaches attract lakhs of nesting females every year, especially between November and May.
The Gahirmatha coast is particularly significant as it hosts the largest arribada of Olive Ridleys in the Indian Ocean.

The government of Odisha, in collaboration with environmental scientists and local communities, has implemented several robust conservation measures to protect Olive Ridley turtles.
One of the most critical steps has been the seasonal ban on mechanized fishing from November to May in turtle nesting zones, which significantly reduces accidental turtle deaths due to fishing gear.
Additionally, the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawlers allows captured turtles to escape from nets, thereby lowering mortality rates.
Odisha has also involved local fisherfolk and communities in conservation efforts by training them for beach patrolling and creating awareness campaigns.
Scientific tools such as satellite telemetry are now used to track the migratory paths of turtles, which helps in understanding their movement and habitat use.
Furthermore, beach profiling, nest monitoring, and hatchling protection programs have contributed to improving survival rates.

Despite the progress, several challenges continue to threaten the Olive Ridley population.
One of the primary concerns is marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, which is often mistaken by turtles for food, leading to fatal ingestion. Fishing-related deaths also remain a significant issue, especially when fishermen use illegal gill nets or fail to use TEDs.
Climate change poses another critical threat, as rising sea levels and changing beach temperatures can impact nesting behavior and even affect hatchling sex ratios, which are temperature-dependent.
Moreover, coastal development projects, such as ports, tourism infrastructure, and sand mining, contribute to habitat loss, reducing the availability of safe nesting beaches.

Due to sustained and coordinated conservation actions, Odisha has witnessed record-breaking mass nesting events in recent years, particularly in 2023 and 2024, which experts consider a positive sign of ecological recovery.
The increased nesting activity suggests that the protection measures are yielding tangible benefits.
Community awareness has also improved significantly.
Today, many coastal villagers see the turtles as a part of their local identity and heritage.
Schools in the region have introduced environmental education to teach children about marine biodiversity and conservation.
The collaboration between forest officials, researchers, and communities has created a model for participatory conservation in India.

The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, located in Kendrapara district of Odisha, holds the distinction of being India’s first marine sanctuary, declared specifically for the protection of Olive Ridley turtles.
It spans both marine and coastal areas, ensuring the safeguarding of not just nesting beaches but also the turtles' feeding and migratory zones.
This sanctuary plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health of the Indian Ocean's marine biodiversity.