Over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles were successfully protected during the 2025 nesting season at Rushikulya river mouth, Odisha, under the Indian Coast Guard’s Operation Olivia. The mission played a crucial role in preserving turtle nesting at key coastal sites like Gahirmatha Beach, one of the world’s largest turtle rookeries.
About Operation Olivia
- Launched by: Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
- Duration: Conducted annually from November to May
- Objective: Ensure safe nesting of endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coastline, particularly:
- Gahirmatha Beach (Kendrapada district)
- Rushikulya River Mouth
- Devi River Mouth
Key Achievements
- Protected 6.98 lakh turtles during Feb 2025 nesting at Rushikulya.
- Since inception:
- 5,387 surface patrol sorties
- 1,768 aerial surveillance missions
- 366 boats involved in illegal fishing detained
- Promotion of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
- Formal MoUs with NGOs for:
- Conservation education
- Sustainable fishing practices
- Community engagement with local fishing communities
Significance
- Major step in reducing threats like:
- Illegal fishing
- Net entanglement
- Habitat degradation
- Boosts India’s commitment to marine biodiversity and sustainable conservation
- Enhances success of mass nesting events (Arribada)
Olive Ridley Turtles- Biological Profile
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
- Size: Up to 2 feet in length; up to 50 kg in weight
- Color: Named for the olive green color of their heart-shaped shell
- Diet: Omnivorous – consume both plant and animal matter
- Behavior: Largely solitary, ocean-dwelling species
Nesting & Migration
- Known for Arribada – mass nesting where thousands of females gather to lay eggs
- Migrate up to 9,000 km across Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans
- Major Nesting Sites in India:
- Gahirmatha Beach – World’s largest rookery
- Rushikulya River Mouth, Odisha
- Devi River Mouth, Odisha
- Andaman Islands
Conservation Status
| Classification System | Status |
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India) | Schedule I |
| CITES | Appendix I |