Mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles, an endangered species, has begun, marking the start of a much-awaited natural phenomenon.

The event took place near the Rushikulya River mouth in Ganjam district, Odisha, eastern India, on February 16.

Visuals show numerous turtles crawling on the sandy beach, emerging from the waters, and some returning to the sea.

Forest officials have confirmed the long-anticipated mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles, which began on Sunday. Reports indicate that over 11,000 turtles laid eggs on the first day across a 4 km stretch of the rookery, according to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Berhampur, Sunny Khokkar. The nesting is expected to continue for several more days, as many turtles are still in the sea waiting to come ashore. Officials also noted that mass nesting has not yet commenced in Gahirmatha this year.

Rabindra Nath Sahu, Secretary of the Ganjam District Sea Turtle Protection Committee, expressed optimism that this season could witness a record number of turtles laying eggs. Meanwhile, Basudev Tripathy, a senior scientist at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), stated that the current period is ideal for Olive Ridley nesting.

To safeguard the nesting process, the Forest Department has implemented protective measures, enlisting local volunteers to help create a secure environment. A forest officer stated that a 4-km section of the beach has been fenced off to prevent visitors from disturbing the turtles, with these restrictions set to remain for the next 50 days until the hatchlings emerge.

Additionally, officials have urged nearby civic bodies and industries to turn off streetlights during the nesting period to aid the turtles in their natural process.

During nesting, female turtles dig pits in the sand, lay between 100 and 150 eggs, and cover them before returning to the sea. However, they do not stay to witness their hatchlings emerge.