It has come as a shocker and a matter of concern to environmentalists and animal lovers that an Olive Ridley sea turtle arrived at Ashwem beach on Friday afternoon, only to return to the sea without laying her eggs. Loud noise and rampant tourism is believed to have compelled the turtle to leave the beach even though the area has been designated as a turtle conservation site. It is learnt that some tourists and citizens disturbed the sea turtle as it was in the process of digging a hole in the sand to lay the eggs. . If these turtles are disturbed during the nesting period they may go to another beach in another State and in the process Goan beaches could be abandoned by these majestic sea animals. It is pertinent to note that the Olive Ridley turtles turn up in millions for mass nesting along the Odisha coast every year. It would be desirable for a team from the forest department to undertake a study tour to the turtle nesting sites in Odisha.
