Protection of Olive Ridley Turtle Eggs

Why in News?

• Forest officials have restricted entry in a 5 km stretch from Gokharkuda to Bateshwar near the mouth of the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district of Odisha.

Key Points:

• The entry ban in the area has been imposed following the provisions of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for the protection of Olive Ridley turtles.
• A total of 6,98,718 female Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs during the mass nesting between February 16 and 23.
• According to turtle experts, these eggs will hatch within 45-50 days.

Olive Ridley Turtles:

• Its scientific name is Lepidochelys olivacea.
• The length of an adult turtle is 60-70 cm and its weight is up to 70 kg.
• Olive Ridley babies are about 25 mm long and weigh 15-20 grams.
• They are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Conservation status:

• They are listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.
• They are mentioned in Appendix-I of CITES.
• They are listed in Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.