Dikhyaa Mohanty 
With 66,451 hatchlings safely released into the sea this season, the Brahmagiri Forest Division in Puri district has achieved its greatest achievement in the protection of Olive Ridley turtles to date. During the 2025–2026 nesting season, 74,920 Olive Ridley turtle eggs were gathered from 646 nests around the Baliharachandi and Chapamanik beaches and placed in temporary hatcheries for protected incubation, according to Forest Department officials.
Forest workers gathered 25,303 eggs from 216 nests at Baliharachandi beach. Of these, 3,006 eggs were destroyed by natural reasons, while 22,297 hatchlings successfully emerged and reached the sea. In a similar vein, 49,617 eggs from 430 nests were transferred to hatcheries at Chapamanik Beach. 5,463 eggs were lost, but 44,154 hatchlings eventually hatched and were safely released into the sea.
According to officials, the two beaches’ combined release of 66,451 hatchlings sets a record for the Brahmagiri Forest Division. For about six and a half months, from November 2025 to May 18, 2026, the Forest Department patrolled the 26-kilometer length of shoreline between the mouths of the Puri Mangala and Baliharachandi rivers around the clock in order to provide safe nesting circumstances and avoid disruptions.
Olive Ridley turtles came safely on both beaches during the season, deposited their eggs, then went back to the sea without any problems, according to forest officials. After the hatchlings emerged, the eggs were gathered and placed in makeshift hatcheries.
