India, March 5 -- Every year, between January and March, Odisha's beaches transform into a natural wonder as thousands of Olive Ridley turtles crawl ashore under the moonlight. This synchronized mass nesting event, known as 'arribada' (Spanish for 'arrival'), sees female turtles digging nests in the sand to lay eggs-a ritual that has been repeated for millennia. But what makes Gahirmatha and Rushikulya beaches in Odisha among the world's largest nesting sites for these turtles?

Ideal Beaches, Ideal Conditions Odisha's coastline offers a rare combination of soft, sloping sands, minimal human activity, and warm temperatures-ideal conditions for incubating eggs. The beaches at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara, Rushikulya in Ganjam,...