Olive Ridley Turtle Study Report Released by WII-Adani Foundation

Bhubaneswar, October 3 – The Odisha government unveiled the first‑year findings of a three‑year research project on Olive Ridley turtles. The study was coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in partnership with the Odisha Wildlife Organization, Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) and the Adani Foundation.

State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia presented the report, which blends satellite telemetry, boat‑based surveys and shoreline mapping to reveal how Olive Ridley turtles use coastal waters and nesting habitats across the state.

Dr. Preeti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, emphasized that the Olive Ridley is a vital element of Odisha’s natural heritage and that thorough knowledge of its movements is essential for effective protection. She praised WII’s scientific work and expressed satisfaction with the state’s focus on sustainable development under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abhishek Lakhakia attended the event on behalf of the Adani Group’s CSR arm, highlighting the foundation’s decade‑long presence in Odisha, which spans 283 villages in seven districts.

The foundation’s interventions include scholarships, wellness centres, mobile medical units, health camps, and livelihood programmes for farmers, women and youth, alongside support for roads, drinking water, sanitation and rural electrification.

Odisha hosts some of the world’s most important Olive Ridley nesting sites, notably Gahiramatha in Kendrapara district and Rushikulya in Ganjam district, where large aggregations of turtles come ashore to lay eggs. The species enjoys Schedule‑I protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it the highest legal safeguard.

Senior scientist Dr. R. Suresh Kumar of WII’s Endangered Species Management Division noted that the project marks the revival of satellite tracking for these turtles after a 15‑year gap. The collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, DPCL and the Adani Foundation has yielded fresh insights into turtle migration patterns and habitat use, forming a scientific basis for evidence‑based conservation plans. Ongoing tracking will expand the dataset, aiding long‑term management and protection strategies.