BERHAMPUR: The much-awaited mass nesting of the Olive Ridley sea turtles started near the Rushikulya river mouth, about 50 km from here in the early hours of Wednesday, a week later than last year. In 2017, the nesting started on February 14.On the first day, more than 3,140 female turtles laid eggs in the three-km-long sandy beach from Gokharakuda to Podampeta . The unique phenomenon would continue for some more days. "The condition of the beach and weather is very conducive for nesting," said divisional forest officer ( Berhampur ) Asish Kumar Behera.Forest officials said the mass nesting of turtles takes place between second week of February and first week of March.The DFO said the mass nesting was preceded by sporadic nesting in Rushikulya, considered the second largest rookery of the turtles after Gahiramatha.A record number of over 3.7 lakh turtles laid eggs at the Rushikulya river mouth from February 14 to 22, 2017, sources said. "We have taken several steps to protect the eggs and safe nesting like crowd control with the involvement of villagers," said the DFO."The 4.5-km-long beach has been completely fenced to prevent people from entering the area. Around 200 people, including forest personnel, wildlife activists and villagers have been engaged in round-the-clock vigil. The protection would continues for the next 50 days till the hatchlings come out," the DFO said."We have earmarked a site outside the fenced area from where visitors can witness the mass nesting," the DFO added.Climbing the sandy beach, the female turtles dig pit in the sand first and lay eggs. The pit is covered by the mother turtles before they move back into the sea soon after laying the eggs.Around 100 to 150 eggs are laid by each female turtle and those hatch in about 45 to 50 days. "We take care of the eggs and baby turtles in the absence of their mothers," said the DFO.

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