Berhampur: The forest department at Purunabandh celebrated World Turtle Day near the famous Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district on Saturday, raising awareness about protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles. Millions of turtles visit the river mouth for mass nesting. Rushikulya river mouth rookery is considered as a major rookery in the world for Olive Ridley turtles. While turtles skipped mass nesting this year at Gahirmatha, another rookery on the Odisha coast, over 2.5 lakh turtles laid eggs in Rushikulya river mouth this year. Last year, a record number of over 9 lakh turtles had laid eggs in two phases. “It shows the importance of the rookery and Olive Ridley turtles,” said Dibya Shankar Behera, assistant conservator of forests, Khallikote. He said the turtles came to the coast after travelling miles in the sea as they felt safe. He requested all local residents to extend their cooperation to ensure safety of the turtles. Describing the turtles, which date back to the time of the dinosaurs, over millions years ago, Shankar Naraya Bej, a retired block education officer, said its protection was highly needed this time. “The cooperation of local fishermen is vital for millions of turtles which visit the shore,” he said. Among others, Ribindra Nath Sahu, a wildlife activist, researcher Ashish Kumar Das and marine biologist Subrat Debata addressed the meeting. They also highlighted the theme of this year as “I love turtle”. Several fishermen and others who depend on the sea, local volunteers and others attended the meeting. The speakers stressed on maintaining clean and garbage-free beaches to attract Olive Ridleys, they said. Wildlife activists urged the govt to establish a research centre near the rookery to facilitate scientists to conduct the oldest sea creature, he added.
