Conservation Insights from Satellite and Boat Surveys on Olive Ridley Nesting Sites
Bhubaneswar – The inaugural report of a three‑year Olive Ridley turtle research programme was unveiled on October 3. Conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India alongside the Odisha Wildlife Organization, Dhamra Port Company Limited and the Adani Foundation, the study integrates satellite telemetry, boat‑based observations and coastline mapping.
State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia explained that the combined methodologies help delineate how Olive Ridley turtles exploit Odisha’s coastal waters and breeding grounds.
Dr. Preeti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, remarked that the species represents a crucial segment of the state’s natural heritage and that in‑depth knowledge of its migration routes is essential for safeguarding it. She commended WII’s scientific contributions and praised the state’s sustainable‑development agenda under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
CEO Dr. Abhishek Lakhakia attended the launch, underscoring the foundation’s decade of work across 283 villages in seven districts, delivering education scholarships, wellness centres, mobile medical units, health camps, livelihood initiatives for farmers, women and youth, and essential infrastructure improvements.
Odisha hosts globally significant Olive Ridley nesting locations, notably Gahiramatha in Kendrapara district and Rushikulya in Ganjam district, where massive turtle aggregations deposit eggs. The species is protected under Schedule‑I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it top‑tier legal protection.
Senior scientist Dr. R. Suresh Kumar from WII’s Endangered Species Management Division noted that this research revives satellite tracking after a fifteen‑year hiatus. The collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, DPCL and the Adani Foundation has yielded fresh insights into movement patterns and habitat use, laying a scientific groundwork for evidence‑based conservation planning. Ongoing tracking will expand the dataset to assist long‑term management and preservation efforts.