Kendrapara, March 10 -- Wildlife lovers have expressed deep concern over the large number of Olive Ridley sea turtle carcasses found scattered along Habalikhati beach under the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, one of the world's largest nesting grounds for these turtles, during the ongoing turtle nesting season.
The Olive Ridley sea turtle rookery at Gahirmatha, which is globally known as the largest nesting site for the species, now appears to have turned into a graveyard.
Instead of welcoming new life during the nesting season, the beaches are witnessing mass deaths of turtles, allegedly due to illegal fishing activities. Fishermen reportedly arrive in large mechanized trawlers to catch fish, leading to the accidental killing of turtles.
H...