Kendrapada: In order to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that arrive during winters for nesting, the Odisha forest department on Friday imposed a ban on fishing along the coast of Gahirmatha in Kendrapara district.
The ban is The ban will be in force from November 1 to May 31, 2020.
The endangered Olive Ridley turtles arrive every year during winters for mass nesting in Rushikulya river mouth and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.
Trawlers and fishermen have been directed not to fish within the coastline in the turtle nesting sites. Forest guards have been deployed to arrest fishermen who enter the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary during the ban period.
To protect the endangered species, at least 16 teams comprising 60 officials have been formed.
The Gahirmatha turtle sanctuary is one of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites. Turtles usually arrive in November for mating in the seawater. Later, the females lay eggs in March.
Prasanta Patnaik