Context:

The Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) annual initiative, 'Operation Olivia,' has recently played a key role in safeguarding over 698,000 Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha—a record achievement in marine conservation.

About:

 ‘Operation Olivia’ is a vital annual initiative undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) from November to May, aimed at safeguarding the nesting grounds of Olive Ridley turtles, especially along Gahirmatha Beach and adjacent coastal areas in Odisha.

Key highlights of the operation include:

• 24/7 coastal patrolling, aerial surveillance, and close coordination with local authorities to ensure the protection of turtles during their breeding season.
• Since its inception, the ICG has carried out over 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial missions, significantly reducing threats like illegal fishing and habitat disturbance.
• The Coast Guard also works closely with coastal communities, encouraging the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets and partnering with NGOs through MoUs to promote conservation awareness and sustainable fishing practices.

This multi-faceted approach has been instrumental in creating a safer and more resilient environment for the Olive Ridley turtles, whose preservation is critical to the health and biodiversity of India’s eastern marine ecosystem.

Key Facts About Olive Ridley Turtles

• The Olive Ridley is one of the smallest, yet most widespread and abundant sea turtle species in the world.
• It is named for the distinctive olive-green hue of its heart-shaped shell.
• Olive Ridleys, along with their close relative the Kemp's Ridley turtle, are famous for a unique phenomenon called "Arribada"—a mass nesting event where thousands of females simultaneously come ashore on the same beach to lay their eggs.

Distribution of Olive Ridley Turtles

• Olive Ridley turtles are distributed globally, predominantly in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.
• The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha, India, is recognized as the world’s largest rookery—a key nesting site—for these sea turtles.

Features of Olive Ridley Turtles

• Olive Ridley turtles typically reach about 2 feet in length and weigh around 50 kilograms.
• They are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plants and animals, including algae, jellyfish, and small invertebrates.
• These turtles are generally solitary and prefer life in the open ocean.
• They spend their entire lives at sea, undertaking long-distance migrations across thousands of kilometers each year between feeding and breeding grounds.

Conservation Status of Olive Ridley Turtles

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (providing the highest level of protection)
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix I (prohibiting international trade)