Parliament Question: Preservation and Protection Measures for Rushikulya River Estuary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 Preservation and Protection Measures for Rushikulya River Estuary 3546. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of specific conservation and monitoring measures undertaken by the Government to protect the sensitive coastal eco-system of the Rushikulya River estuary, particularly for the mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles; (b) the details of funds allocated and utilized under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project in Odisha during the last three years; and (c) whether any technical studies have been conducted on the impact of coastal climate change along the Ganjam coast and if so, the details thereof along with the mitigation strategies adopted? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) Management and protection of wildlife including Olive Ridley turtles is carried out by the concerned States and Union Territories. During the Olive Ridley turtle nesting season, the Forest Departments, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, undertake various measures for the protection of turtles, which include seasonal restrictions on mechanised fishing in nearshore waters, patrolling, surveillance in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard and Fisheries Department, besides curtailing public access to nesting beaches to minimize disturbance. In addition, regular monitoring of nesting activity, hatchling emergence and turtle strandings are also undertaken, along with awareness generation and community participation programmes. The Zoological Survey of India and Wildlife Institute of India have undertaken scientific studies, including flipper tagging and satellite telemetry, to assess turtle movement ecology and habitat use, thereby supporting scientific conservation and management of Olive Ridley turtles. (b) The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project implemented in the State of Odisha ended in 2020. (c) The Ministry has not undertaken any specific study on the impact of coastal climate change along the Ganjam coast.