Syllabus section: Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity

 

Why in news?

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has launched ‘Operation Oliva’. This operation has been launched in order to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha.

Key highlights

• Two ships have been deployed in the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary of Rushikulya beach and Devi river mouth.

• These ships will look after the major nesting sites of the turtles.

• The coast guards would prevent the entry of fishing vessels into the prohibited zone.

• Apart from the ships, an aircraft has also been pressed as the part of the operation.

• Indian Coast Guard is working in coordination with the Forest department, fishery officials and marine police and keeping eyes on the illegal fishing in the restricted zone.

About Operation Oliva

• Operation Olive was launched by the Union government in the year 1999. It was launched to protect the marine species. The ICG headquarters at Paradip launches this operation every year off the Odisha coast.

Olive Ridley sea turtle

• The olive ridley turtle is also known as the Pacific Ridley sea turtle.. The species is the second smallest turtle in the world. It is also the most abundant of all sea turtles. The turtle is found in warm and tropical waters. It is commonly found in Pacific Ocean, Indian Oceans and warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean

 

 

Source: The Hindu