Berhampur (Odisha), February 17 The Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha's Ganjam district, known for the mass nesting of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, was found to be a potential habitat for Irrawaddy dolphins, a forest officer said on Tuesday.
Forest department officials have sighted a group of 13 such critically endangered dolphins near Bateshwar under the Khallikote forest range during the sea mammal census, he said.
The three-day dolphin census was conducted between January 20 and 22. During the survey, the dolphins were observed surfacing and moving in groups within the area, the forest officer said.
"The census has indicated the healthy presence of dolphins along the Purunabandh-Prayagi stretch," said Dibya Shankar Behera, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Khallikote range.
Earlier, forest officials had also found other species of dolphins, including bottlenose and humpback dolphins, in the area, officials said.
The Irrawaddy dolphins, which were sighted in large numbers in the Chilika lake, may have migrated to the Rushikulya river mouth area, they said.
People in the nearby villages, especially fishermen, have been well aware of protecting the Olive Ridley turtles, which visit for mass nesting in the recent years.
"Now, the villagers are also aware of protecting other aquatic animals, such as dolphins, and the winged guests. We are creating awareness among the villagers for the protection of Olive Ridley, as well as other animals and birds," said the ACF.
The sighting of Irrawaddy dolphins near the river mouth has strengthened the importance of the Rushikulya estuary as a biodiversity-rich ecosystem, said Rabindra Nath Sahu, a wildlife activist.
The estuary is famous for a major rookery of Olive Ridley turtles, as thousands of these sea creatures visit the site for their mass nesting during the third week of February. The place has also hosted several migratory birds, especially Bar-headed geese, during every winter, he said.
As the area is considered a biodiversity hotspot, Sahu urged the government to take urgent conservation measures for the protection and conservation of the different aquatic animals.
