The recent news has brought attention to the socio-environmental situation in Odisha. Here, 8,000 fisherman families face potential economic hardships due to a fishing ban implemented by the state government. The ban, which is imposed annually from November till May, aims to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles during their mass nesting period. This year, it will be in effect from November 2019 to May 31, 2020.
About Olive Ridley Turtles
Olive Ridley Turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found on our planet. These turtles inhabit warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They have caught the attention of the global community for their unique nesting behavior known as ‘Arribada.’
During ‘Arribada,’ thousands of turtles come ashore at the same time to lay their eggs. This mass nesting phenomenon primarily occurs in three river mouths in Odisha: Dhamara, Devi, and Rushikulya. Despite their abundant presence, the Olive Ridley Turtles are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Appendix I in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and Schedule 1 in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Threats loom over these turtles due to various human activities such as unfriendly turtle fishing practices, the creation of ports, and exploitation of nesting beaches.
| Turtle | Status | Threats |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Ridley Turtles | Vulnerable as per IUCN | Unfriendly fishing practices, Nesting beach exploitation |
Dhamara River Mouth
The Brahmani river, the second largest in Odisha, merges with the Mahanadi, the state’s largest river, to form the Dhamara. This combined river mouth empties into the Bay of Bengal.
Devi River
The Devi river is a principal distributary of the Mahanadhi. Flowing through the Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts, it joins the Bay of Bengal, passing across the breadth of Odisha.
Rushikulya River
Originating from the Rushikulya hills of Eastern Ghats in Phulbani district, the 165-kms long Rushikulya River has an extensive catchment area of 8900 sq.kms. It flows through the districts of Kandhamal and Ganjam in Odisha.
