An international research centre for Olive Ridley turtles is proposed to be set up at Berhampur University in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The aim is to help researchers understand the endangered turtles’ migration, breeding and nesting patterns and strengthen conservation efforts.
The forest department, the environmental science department of Berhampur University and the Zoological Survey of India’s Gopalpur centre have jointly started efforts to establish the facility.
The Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district is known worldwide for the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles.
The turtles travel long distances across the sea before reaching the coast to lay eggs on sandy beaches. After laying their eggs, the adult turtles return to the sea. The hatchlings emerge after around 45 to 60 days and make their way towards the sea.
Despite ongoing research, several aspects of the turtles’ life cycle and their ability to return to particular nesting sites remain to be understood.
Satellite tagging and other modern technologies are already being used to track their movements across the sea.
The proposed centre is expected to provide more opportunities to study their migration routes, breeding process and nesting patterns. The centre is expected to bring together researchers from India and other countries to study Olive Ridley turtles and share their findings.
A better understanding of their movements and breeding habits could help researchers and conservation authorities develop more effective protection measures.
“Berhampur University, Khallikote University, the Zoological Survey of India and other research institutes and universities will be involved in this project. Researchers interested in studying Olive Ridley turtles can submit their research proposals to the centre,” said DFO Berhampur Sunny Khokhar.
However, the timeline for the centre to become operational is yet to be known.