Description

Source: NDTV

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Context

A record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth attributed to enhanced Indian Coast Guard patrolling and effective implementation of Operation Olivia in the 2024–25 season.

What is the operation?

Operation Olivia is an annual coastal surveillance initiative launched by the Indian Coast Guard.

Conducted during the breeding season of Olive Ridley turtles (November to May) the operation is aimed at protecting nesting grounds of these vulnerable marine creatures along Odisha’s coastline especially at Gahirmatha Beach, Rushikulya and Devi river mouths.

Objectives of Operation Olivia

To protect Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting season.

To enforce fishing regulations including the use of Turtle Excluder Devices.

To reduce threats from illegal fishing, trawling and coastal habitat disturbance.

To coordinate with local communities, forest departments and NGOs to ensure turtle conservation.

Community & Policy Interventions

Sensitization campaigns on turtle conservation and sustainable fishing.

Use of Turtle Excluder Devices in trawl nets to prevent accidental capture.

MoUs with NGOs for supporting conservation education and participatory conservation efforts.

Enforcement of Fishing Ban especially in nesting zones during critical months.

Olive Ridley Turtles

Feature	Details
Scientific Name	Lepidochelys olivacea
IUCN Status	Vulnerable
WPA, 1972	Schedule I (highest protection in India)
CITES	Appendix I (international trade banned)
Shell Color	Olive green, heart-shaped shell
Size & Weight	About 2 feet long, weighs around 50 kg
Habitat	Tropical Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans
Nesting Type	Arribada – synchronized mass nesting on beaches
Major Nesting Site	Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Odisha – largest rookery globally
Diet	Omnivorous – feeds on algae, jellyfish, crustaceans, and mollusks
Behavior	Solitary and migratory – travels thousands of kilometers annually

Sources:

NDTV

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to Olive Ridley turtles consider the following statements:

They are known for solitary nesting habits.
Gahirmatha beach in Odisha is the largest known mass nesting site of this species.
They are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: They nest in mass gatherings (Arribada).

Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3 is incorrect: They are listed under Schedule I not II.