Operation Olivia – Safeguarding Olive Ridley Nesting Grounds
- vidyarthee2021
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Every year, Odisha's coast transforms into a haven for one of nature’s most spectacular events — the mass nesting or arribada of Olive Ridley sea turtles. In response to threats faced by these vulnerable marine creatures, Operation Olivia, launched in the 1980s by the Indian Coast Guard, has been playing a pivotal role in their protection.
What is Operation Olivia?
Initiated: 1980s by the Indian Coast Guard
Active Months: November to May (peak nesting season)
Focus Areas:
Gahirmatha Beach (World’s largest Olive Ridley nesting site)
Rushikulya River Mouth
Devi River Mouth
The operation deploys Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and patrols to prevent illegal fishing and protect the turtles during their nesting migration. These measures have shielded over 8 lakh Olive Ridley turtles in recent nesting seasons.
About Olive Ridley Turtles
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Distribution: Circumtropical – warm waters across the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, excluding the Gulf of Mexico
Nesting Behavior: Known for synchronized mass nesting events (arribada)
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix I (ban on international trade)
Why It Matters for UPSC?
Biodiversity and Conservation: Shows effective inter-agency coordination in protecting wildlife.
Environmental Governance: Highlights the role of central armed police forces like the Indian Coast Guard beyond national security.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Contributes to SDG 14 – Life Below Water.
International Obligations: India’s compliance with CITES and marine conservation norms.
📘 Prelims Practice Question:
Q. With reference to Operation Olivia, consider the following statements:
It is conducted by the Odisha Forest Department to monitor tiger populations.
It helps protect mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles along certain coasts of India.
Olive Ridley turtles are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and in Appendix II of CITES.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
✅ Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Operation Olivia is led by the Indian Coast Guard, not by the Odisha Forest Department, and it is not related to tiger monitoring.
Statement 2 is correct: It supports the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting season.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Olive Ridleys are listed in Appendix I of CITES, not Appendix II.
✍️ Mains Practice Question (GS Paper 3):
Q. Discuss the significance of Operation Olivia in marine biodiversity conservation in India. Highlight the role of inter-agency cooperation in executing such initiatives.
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