Overview
- Initiated by: Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
- Purpose: To protect Olive Ridley turtles during nesting season (November to May)
- Focus Area: Odisha coast, primarily Gahirmatha Beach and Rushikulya river mouth
2025 Milestone
- Record turtle nesting: Over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at Rushikulya in February 2025
- Annual turtle arrival in Odisha: 8+ lakh turtles
- Marks the highest mass nesting at Rushikulya, crediting ICG’s intensive conservation efforts
Significance
- Olive Ridley turtles are listed under:
- Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- IUCN Red List – Vulnerable category
- Operation Olivia aligns with India’s commitments to biodiversity protection and SDG-14 (Life Below Water)
