Ganjam: Massive erosion of the Rushikulya mouth in this district due to surging tidal waves may endanger mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles mating of whom will start towards the end of this month, a report said Wednesday.
Environmentalists said the marine creatures will start mating towards the end of this month and will enter into mass nesting on the Rushikulya coast after the weather improves in December following southward blowing of wind.
However, it is apprehended that the mating and mass nesting of the sea creatures might be hampered from Gokharkuda to Prayagi in Ganjam block to Aryapalli to the south. The erosion of the sea beach is taking place due to regular crossing of the tidal waves.
As a result, massive erosion is taking place on the Rushikulya coast which has cast doubts on the mating and mass nesting of the endangered species. Things have come to such a pass that surging tidal waves have swallowed a large portion of the beach from Rushikulya to Bateswar Shiva shrine.
The erosion of the sea beach had led to a decline in the number of turtles visiting the Rushikulya coast for mating and mass nesting. Environmentalists said the erosion is taking place at such a pace that turtles are finding it difficult to climb up the beach for mating and mass nesting.
The beach erosion is not only affecting the turtles but also the fishermen of Podampeta and its adjoining areas who are now finding it difficult to park their fishing boats and fishing nets.
The sea beach erosion is taking place since 2007, senior environmentalist Rabindra Kumar Sahu said. The erosion of the sea beach had forced the district administration to evacuate 142 fishermen families and relocate them to safer places.
The forest officials are now on their toes for the mating and mass nesting of the sea turtles. Recently, divisional forest officer (DFO) Amlan Nayak visited the Rushikulya coast and took stock of the movement of turtles in the sea. Meanwhile, forest officials undertook beach cleaning and cleared all the garbage lying on the coast.
When contacted, Nayak said various steps are being taken to ensure safe mating and mass nesting of the sea turtles. The places where the turtles are likely to lay eggs have been barricaded and coast guard personnel deployed in the sea to thwart any threat to the marine creatures.
PNN