Olive Ridley Turtles Return to Ekakula Nasi for Mass Nesting After 33 Years

Kendrapara, Odisha – In a historic environmental event, thousands of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles have returned to Ekakula Nasi beach for mass nesting after a gap of 33 years. According to Manas Kumar Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in charge of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, the last recorded mass nesting at Ekakula Nasi took place during the 1992-93 turtle season.

Over the past 48 hours alone, approximately 1,69,348 female Olive Ridley turtles have laid eggs at Ekakula Nasi, marking a significant resurgence in nesting activity. On March 6, around 3,000 turtles arrived, followed by a massive surge of 1,66,348 female turtles on March 7.

Forest officials revealed that during the ongoing turtle season, a total of 4.34 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have nested across Nasi-2 and Ekakula Nasi beaches within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary over three days (March 5-7). While Nasi-2 recorded 2,64,657 nests, Ekakula Nasi accounted for 1,69,348 nests. Although Ekakula Nasi beach extends for 8 kilometers, turtles have utilized only 3 kilometers for nesting.

Experts anticipate a record number of turtles arriving this season, as mass nesting is expected to continue for another three to four days. The previous record was set in 2023 when an estimated 5,12,175 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at Nasi-2 beach over four days from March 9 to March 13, 2023.

However, forest officials are concerned about the shrinking Nasi-2 beach due to continuous sea erosion, which may affect future nesting patterns. The return of Olive Ridley turtles to Ekakula Nasi after more than three decades underscores their instinct to nest at the same locations where they previously laid eggs, provided the environmental conditions remain favorable.

To safeguard the turtle eggs from predators, forest personnel have intensified patrolling and conservation efforts at both Ekakula Nasi and Nasi-2 beaches, ensuring the protection of this vital nesting habitat.