Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5 -- Dead Olive Ridley turtles have been found floating along the Odisha coast, triggering concern at the height of the annual nesting season. Despite a ban on fishing between November 1 and May 31 within five to 20 kilometres of the Devi river mouth in Puri district, trawlers are allegedly operating unchecked. Similar restrictions are in force from the Devi river mouth to Brahmagiri, a region known for high turtle congregation.

The stretch from Astaranga to Brahmagiri, famed for its white sandy coastline, typically attracts large numbers of Olive Ridley turtles for nesting. While the Forest Department is expected to conduct regular patrolling in the area, the Puri Forest Division currently does not have its own trawler...