What makes Odisha’s Gahirmatha a place of interest?

We love to travel, that’s why we are here. But do you know, more than us humans, the animal kingdom is known for their incredible travel stories. We are talking about the kinds that migrate. Sometimes for food, sometimes to continue their population, these incredible travellers of the animal kingdom leave us marvelling at what they do, every year, for thousands of kilometres, just like clockwork. We are here to talk about the olive Ridley sea turtles that come to Gahirmatha in Odisha, India.

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Odisha’s only turtle sanctuary – Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – is worthy to be praised and visited again and again – by us humans. Reason being, it is the world’s largest known rookery of the olive Ridley sea turtles. For those who don’t know, a rookery is a breeding colony. Sea birds, marine mammals like penguins, and sea turtles form rookeries when it’s time to breed and nest. That's what we see at Gahirmatha.




Did you know that these turtles travel to Odisha’s Gahirmatha all the way from South Pacific Ocean, just to breed? They do this every year. Every year, the river mouths of Dhamara River and Brahmani River, where they meet the sea, get around half a million of these turtles. Needless to say, the sight is beyond spectacular.




Given the size of the rookery, it is safe to say that what they have at Gahirmatha is pretty special. And recognising this special feature of the place, the Government of Odisha takes special care to make sure that the turtle nesting is successful every year. Gahirmatha is that safe zone where millions of baby turtles hatch every year. But it is sad (but natural) that not all of them make it to the sea. Only a very small percentage of those new babies make it to the sea. Those who do, they grow in the sea and once they reach adulthood, come back all the way to Gahirmatha – the place where their life literally began.

1. When is the best time to see the sea turtle migration in Odisha?
   Beginning of November is the best time to see the turtle migration in Odisha.
2. What is Olive Ridley sea turtle's conservation status?
   The species is recognised as Vulnerable under IUCN. Population declining.
3. Where is Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary?
   Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is located in Kendrapara district in Odisha.