marine turtles

Severe coastal erosion has significantly reduced nesting beaches on Nasi-1 and Nasi-2 islands in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, delaying the mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles. While Rushikulya beach saw over 2 lakh turtles, Gahirmatha's absence baffles researchers. Nasi-1 has shrunk from 1.5 km to 100m, and Nasi-2 from 2 km to 300m, with beaches becoming too steep for nesting.

INTACH's Mayurbhanj chapter has urged the Odisha government to establish a 'fossil park' near Baripada, highlighting the 'Baripada Fossil Beds' immense scientific and geo-heritage value. These 12-15 million-year-old marine fossils, including shark teeth and marine creature remains, offer crucial insights into prehistoric ecosystems and eastern India's palaeo-environmental evolution.

A federal decision, approved upon the request of the Trump administration, to expand Gulf oil drilling has heightened fears of extinction for the critically endangered Rice’s whale, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining. Scientists note the species already lost over 20% of its population after the Deepwater Horizon spill, warning that renewed industrial activity could push it beyond recovery and erase one of the ocean’s rarest whales.

A rare sight at Puri's Blue Flag beach saw Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings heading towards the sea, captured by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. This event highlights Odisha's crucial role in global turtle conservation, with areas like Gahirmatha hosting massive nesting events. The sighting underscores the continuity of Odisha's coastal ecosystem and the importance of protecting these vulnerable creatures.

A rare sight at Puri's Blue Flag beach saw Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings heading towards the sea, captured by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. This event highlights Odisha's crucial role in global turtle conservation, with areas like Gahirmatha hosting massive nesting events. The sighting underscores the continuity of Odisha's coastal ecosystem and the importance of protecting these vulnerable creatures.

Remarkably, 47 tagged female Olive Ridley turtles have returned to Odisha's Rushikulya beach to nest, three years after being tagged by the Zoological Survey of India. This year's mass nesting event has seen over 2.5 lakh turtles lay eggs, with scientists excited by the return of these tagged individuals, aiding crucial tracking studies.