Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Operation Olivia’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It is an initiative of Indian coast Guards to protect Olive Ridley turtles along the coast of Odisha.
Operation Olivia is carried out during the month of August which is the nesting time of Olive Ridley turtles.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Only 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
Only 1
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct. Operation Olivia is a special conservation initiative conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to protect Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) along the coastal regions of Odisha. It was initiated in the early 1980s. The primary objective of this operation is to protect turtles from illegal fishing, accidental entanglement in fishing nets (Bycatch), and other human-induced threats during their breeding and nesting periods. The Indian Coast Guard contributes to turtle conservation through Maritime Patrolling, surveillance of fishing vessels, and coordination with relevant government agencies.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Operation Olivia is not conducted during August; it generally takes place annually from November to May. According to the Indian Coast Guard, Olive Ridley turtles usually arrive along the Odisha coast for breeding during November–December, and nesting and egg-laying activities may continue until April–May. Mass nesting is frequently observed from late January or February onward. August is not the usual mass nesting season for these turtles in this region. Therefore, the conservation operation is conducted according to their actual breeding and nesting period.
Olive Ridley Turtles are Marine Reptiles found primarily in tropical oceans. They are famous for their Mass Nesting Behaviour, known as Arribada. During this phenomenon, thousands of female turtles come ashore almost simultaneously to lay their eggs. Major nesting sites in Odisha include Gahirmatha, Rushikulya River Mouth, and Devi River Mouth. An adult female can generally lay approximately 100–140 eggs in a single nesting event. The Olive Ridley is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Conservation measures under Operation Olivia include maritime patrolling, Aerial Surveillance, controlling illegal fishing, and promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). TEDs provide an escape route for turtles trapped in fishing trawl nets, thereby potentially reducing accidental mortality. In India, Olive Ridley turtles receive protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. According to a Ministry of Defence press release dated 19 May 2025, the operation helped protect the mass nesting of more than 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles at the Rushikulya River Mouth in Odisha during February 2025.