Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary for
Olive Ridley turtle conservation in Odisha
The olive Ridley turtle travel very long distances from some unknown
Place each year to lay eggs on Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary of Kendrapada
district of Odisha
. They struggle and the
perseverance in pushing new life and maintaining ecological balance by keeping
their species alive displays their love and Devotion to the laws of existence
and particularly to this beach of Gahirmatha , Odisha.
where is Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is located ?
The Gahirmatha turtle sanctuary is located in Kendrapada district of Odisha . The Gahirmatha beach act as separating point between bay of bengal and Mangroove Forest of Bhitarakanika wildlife Sanctuary . beach act as best nesting point for Oilve Ridley turtle . The Gahirmatha wildlife sanctuary is a marine wildlife sanctuary and it is one of the most popular tourist destination of Odisha . It is the largest nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtle in the earth. its extension is - from Brahmi river mouth in south to Dharma river mouth in north .
How do You go to Gahirmatha ?
The Gahirmatha is around 80 km away from the state capital Bhubaneswar and the nearest town is the Bhadrak town , which is around 50 km away from the Gahirmatha marine Sanctuary . You can go to Gahirmatha by direct bus from Bhubanesewar Baramunda bus stand .
Where do Olive-Ridley turtle come from ?
Mainly Olive Ridley turtle are fond of tropical Climate and they found in tropic areas of Indian ocean , Atlantic Ocean and Pacific ocean . Mainly they are found in beach which located in between Mexico and south Colombia . In Indian Ocean - they found only in eastern India and Srilanka .
Diet of Olive Ridley turtle
The Olive Ridley turtles are feed on both plants and animals . They eat algae , lobster, crabs, shrimps and small fishes . They can dive up to a depth of 500 feet .
When do Olive Ridley turtle Lay eggs ?
Mainly Olive Ridley turtle gathered near nesting ground before 2 month ago of nesting season . Some time this timing differ according to geographic location and climatic condition . They gather all over the year in eastern pacific . The main nesting timing is in between September month to December month .
Recently 2.45 lakh Olive Ridley turtle arrived at Gahirmatha to laying eggs
Worldwide importance of Gahirmatha sea beach
Gahirmatha is an important Beach along the coast of odisha. The beach separates the Bhitarakanika mangroves from the Bay of Bengal and World's most important nesting side for the endangered Olive Ridley, sea turtles,
Important information about Olive Ridley Turtle
The olive Ridley, Turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world. Inhibiting, the warm Waters of the Pacific Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Nature of olive Ridley turtle
These Turtles are best known for their unique Mass. Nesting called arribada where thousands of female, turtles, travel, thousands of kilometers arriving together on the same Beach to lay eggs.
The ones in the year of migration,
the long ways to the need of nesting beaches is a doing factor for the sea
turtles.
Olive Ridley turtle in IUCN red list
The olive Ridley Turtles are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red list, placed in schedule- 1 of Indian Wildlife protection act 1972. These Turtles are protected under the migratory species convention, and In of international trade on Wildlife, flora and fauna.
Gahirmatha sea beach recognition as Marine Sanctuary
Since Gahirmatha coast serves a native nesting Beach for millions of turtles. It has immense importance on Turtle conservation.
Hence, the coastal Waters and the
coast was notified and declared as a sanctuary in 1997 located in Kendrapada District. Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is the only Marine
sanctuary in Odisha .
Extension of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
It extends from north of domra, river, mouth to the south of mahanadi river mouth. The total area of the sanctuary is 1435. Which includes 1408, km2 of water body and 27 km2 of land mass, including Reserve Forest, mud flats and accreted. Sand mass .
Migration of Olive Ridley Turtle to Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
The olive Ridleys migrate in huge numbers from the beginning of October. Every year. It has been observed that the migrate from the coastal Waters of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean to the coastal Waters of Gahirmatha in the North,
After their arrival. At Gahirmatha - They mate between November and January and
swim to the surface of the coastal water for prolonged periods.
Whole leading the turtle? Scoop,
the soft sand to a depth of 45 cm using the Flippers and lay between 100
to 180 eggs.
Up to 600,000 and more female turtles emerge
from the waters, over a period of five to seven days to lay eggs during this phenomenal
nesting due to shrinkage of the nesting ground overcrowding of turtles has been
observed during nesting.
Different type of threats to olive Ridley Turtle at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
The Olive Ridley turtle face serious threats across a migratory route, habitat, nesting beaches due to human activities. Such as total unfairly fishing practices , Development and exploitation of nesting, beaches for boats and tourist centers,
Government initiative for Oilive Ridley turtle conservation at Gahirmatha
The international trade in these turtles, in the products is banned. Undersides, appendix 1. The most serious threats-They face is the Accidental. Killing of adult, turtles through entanglement intra nets and Gill Nets due to uncontrolled fishing during The Mating Season around the nesting beaches
Difficulty in egg hatching of olive Ridley turtle at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Due to shrinking of beaches. The eggs laid in a particular bit, tends to be scooped out by successive, nesters, resulting in doomed eggs, as it would never be able to have
Threats to Olive Ridley turtle egg at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Eggs, which begin to hatch and about 50 to 60 days are also damaged by Predators such as jackals, Birds highness, fiddler, crabs, and feral dogs. Research shows that one in 1,000 hatchlings actually survive.
Cause of population decline of olive Ridley turtle
Though the guy her mother caused heavy annual listing figure of 100,000 to 500 thousand each year. There has been a decline in the population of these turtles in the recent past due to mass mortality.
Initiative taken by forest department in order to protect Olive Ridley turtle
This is where the forest staff of the sanctuary come into the picture. After the Declaration of the sanctuary. There has been constant attempts to eradicate the predation of the turtles, and their eggs.
Patrolling by Forest Officials in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
The patrol boat the coast and the adjacent Sanctuary portion of the sea. A separate guy remote. Himalayan range has also been found by the forest Department. Similarly, do offshore anti-poaching camps, have been set up at baahubali and Agger Nasi, besides 14 on Shore camps in different ranges.
Casual strolling of people on the
coast has also been prohibited for safeguarding the Olive Ridleys.
Importance of Gahirmatha beach
Gahirmatha Beach is one of the most important goals not only in odisha. But of the world. It is the largest mass nesting site of oliveRidleys. Followed by the coast of Mexico and Costa Rica about 200,000 to 700,000 Olive Ridley, Turtles visit the beach during mass nesting every year.
Bird species of Gahirmatha marine Sanctuary
The Sanctuary also seized numerous bird species like seagulls, Indian Skimmer , Brahminy Kite, brown-headed Gull and is also home to a large diversity of marine fauna, like horseshoe crab and fiddler crab.
Spectacular View of Gahirmatha
The congregation of bar-headed geese, is one of his spectacular views found in the guy Ramada Beach .Situated at a distance of 132 km from the state capital boobed. Ensure these spectacular site offers
. One of the most unique
phenomenon hardly seen anywhere in India enthralling. Both the scientists and
conservationists throughout the world. The congregation of bar-headed geese.
He's one of his spectacular views found in the guy with abhi.
Important arrangement for tourist at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
The forest division has made special arrangements for people, who want to study and enjoy the stunning Wonder of nature.
Eco – Cottages have been built in on the sanctuary for
accommodating tourists . Interested visitors can stay in log cabins and Eco
portage's and habala Kadee, and Gupti and Forest house at a ekakula .
Other tourists attractions near Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Apart from nesting. Tourists can also visit some incredible nearby spots like Bhitarakanika National Park, Kanika Palace, and who ketola and old renovated building in an island constructed during the British era?
The entry point to the sanctuary,
is a good thing with the forest Division office gives visitors access into the
sanctuary.
Turtle hatching at Gahirmatha Marine wildlife Sanctuary
The most stunning thing. The visitors behold here is he hatching of the eggs, incubated by the sun and the metabolic heat, the eggs, inside the flagship Birds, a chapter 45 days.
Turtle hatching time in Gahirmatha Marine wildlife Sanctuary
It takes place during night or in the pre-dawn period, the wounds of the paid, gradually collapse, allowing the eggs on the lower strata to rise upwards after the emergence of the hatchlings.
How the nature welcome the new borne Olive Ridley turtle
The immediately look for light, the Rising Sun on the horizon, welcomes them as tiny baby. Turtles, witness the first light of the Life and head into the Open Sea.
With the wings embraced them to
see says, I love you with the light shows, the path to see the sun says, I love
you. I mean, it's all the dead danger and destruction nature says to its
creation. I love you the beach, welcomes the olive Ridleys,
It says I love you when the
mother bones with pain at the time of laying eggs, dinging. I love you. And
when the guide Makaha Beach, finally break the release of you, it says, I love
you.
And we'll be waiting for you,
making their first drag into the vast ocean. The tiny baby swim deep into the
sea until they reach the sea currents.
How the olive Ridley turtle reaches into the sea water ?
The keep swimming possibly in search of their mothers. They creators in order to offer them. Gratitude to show them.
They love and saying I love you the world
which is ruled by love kindness and compassion, urges humans to love everything
and everything unconditionally without being selfish cruel and irresponsible.
This love is Is required to keep
the olive Ridleys and other endangered species alive and make this Earth,
remain content and complete.