Lockdown keeps hunters at bay, hopes high for more turtle hatchlings in Odisha

With favourbale weather conditions this time around with the absence of crowding and the threat from hunters due to the lockdown, hopes are high for more number of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings to survive and return to the sea. The state forest department has also undertaken measures for the safeguard of turtles.

Kendrapara (Odisha):Though the coronavirus outbreak has put entire mankind under stress, the pandemic is having a positive effect on wildlife. The Odisha forest department is hoping that a greater number of turtle hatchlings return safely back to the sea this year.

The Gahirmatha sanctuary in Odisha's Kendrapara district is famous world over, as each year, Olive Ridley sea turtles come here from the faraway Pacific Ocean to lay eggs.

According to estimate, over four lakh sea turtles laid their eggs this year between March 15 and March 21. Subsequently, hatching began from May 2 onwards, and is expected to continue for about a month.

The change in weather and the environment this time have seemingly suited the sea turtles. As such, expectations are high that a larger number of live hatchlings would be seen this year.

Despite the total number of eggs laid being lesser compared to last year, the state forest department expects an increase in the number of live hatchlings due to favourable conditions.

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Every year, thousands of young hatchlings are killed because of adverse weather conditions and also hunters. However, with the lockdown, there is no threat of people or hunters for the turtles. As a result, environmentalists are hopeful that the number of hatchlings will be doubled in the coming days.

On its part, the forest department has put up a plastic fence around the area for the safeguard of turtles. Besides, officials have also been keeping a round-the-clock vigil on the turtles during the lockdown.

Though the egg laying process is mainly concentrated at the Nasi-2 island off the coast, this year there was also sporadic nesting along the coast from Mouth of Devi River up to Dharma coast.

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