Corporate Initiative to Study Olive Ridley Migration off Odisha Coast

Bhubaneswar, Sep 2: The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, along with the Adani Foundation, has announced a detailed study on the spatial use, near-shore movements, and migratory behavior of Olive Ridley sea turtles off the Odisha coast.

The initiative, taken up under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with the Society of Wildlife Odisha under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, aims to develop effective management strategies to protect the nesting habitats of these threatened aquatic animals.

Odisha is home to three major mass nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles—Gahirmatha, Devi, and Rushikulya—with Gahirmatha beach recognized as the largest rookery of sea turtles in the world. However, over the past three decades, Gahirmatha has witnessed significant changes due to recurring cyclones and coastal erosion, altering the nesting patterns of the species.

Highlighting the importance of the study, officials from the Adani Foundation said it would help address key challenges in conservation and contribute to updated research on coastal geomorphology and nesting habitats. The findings are expected to play a crucial role in framing strategies to mitigate the impact of erosion and ensure long-term protection of the Olive Ridley population along Odisha’s coastline.