Their efforts bore fruit when nearly one lakh sea turtles nested along the coast. This also put to rest the fears of researchers and wildlife experts who had predicted that the Ridleys might abandon the Orissa coast forever if no nesting took place this season.

According to reports, 6.95 lakh turtles nested in 1994, while nearly 3.40 lakh were seen in 1995. About 2.90 came in 1996. But subsequently, there were two completely dry seasons with not a single turtle nesting, thanks to rampant mechanised fishing trawlers which mowed down turtles and predators like dogs, pigs and jackals which destroy Ridley eggs.

The declaration of Gahirmatha, the largest rookery in the world, as a Marine Sanctuary in 1997 did not bring any positive result till 1998 when theissue was catapulted to international attention following the reported death of 14,000 Olive Ridleys.

Immediately the state government convened a high-level meeting on the issue to chalk out measures to protect the endangered turtles from the onslaught of illegal trawlers. The Centre also formed a high-powered committee to monitor trawling operations and protect the turtle population.

Secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO,) Biswajit Mohanty, says, ``Mass nesting of these sea animals along the Rushikulya river mouth and Gahirmatha coast this season was made possible due to strengthened coastal surveillance by the Coast Guard and staff of the wildlife wing of the Forest Department.''

Operation Kachhapa launched in December 1998 by WSO in association with Wildlife Protection Society of India, New Delhi, has also achieved some success due to the special monitoring and patrol camps set up along Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and from Rushikulya to Wheeler Islands. Fifty-one trawlers were seized fromthese areas in January with the help of Coast Guard and Wildlife Department staff, informed Mohanty.

Sources in the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry said the Centre has granted funds for two sophisticated power boats that will facilitate checking of illegal trawling along Gahirmatha. The boats will get operational soon, the sources added.