Odisha Beach Locked Down for Olive Ridley Turtles' Mass Nesting

• Odisha's Rushikulya River mouth beach in Ganjam district placed under 'lockdown' for Olive Ridley turtle mass nesting.
• Over 10,000 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs on a 2.5 km stretch of beach; tourist entry banned, 10 security units deployed.
• DFO Sunny Khokkar reported 10,220 turtles participated in the 'Arribada' event, with nesting expected to continue.
• Nesting started later this year; February to April is considered the ideal period for mass nesting at Rushikulya.
• Fences erected against predators like wild dogs and jackals, with round-the-clock surveillance to protect eggs.