Bhubaneswar/Ganjam: The iconic Rushikulya rookery is poised to receive designation as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act, marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s conservation efforts.
Located along Odisha’s southern coastline, the Rushikulya river mouth is globally known as one of the most important mass nesting (arribada) sites for the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle. Each year, lakhs of turtles arrive on its sandy shores, transforming the otherwise quiet beach into a spectacle of ecological significance.
The proposed Biodiversity Heritage Site status will cover nearly 747 hectares around the river mouth, including nesting beaches, estuarine ecosystems, and surrounding biodiversity-rich habitats. Unlike wildlife sanctuary designation, this category under the 2002 Act aims to conserve ecologically sensitive areas while allowing continuation of traditional community practices such as fishing.
Officials say the move strikes a balance between conservation and livelihood security, ensuring protection without alienating local communities who have coexisted with the ecosystem for generations.
For coastal communities in Ganjam, the recognition goes beyond environmental protection. It affirms the region’s ecological identity and shared stewardship of one of the world’s most significant marine nesting grounds.
-OdishaAge
