The Rivers Legacy: Turtle Conservation at Rishikulya, Odisha
On 5th May, 2023 the event "The River's Legacy: Turtle Conservation at Rishikulya, Odisha" brought together a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the vital conservation efforts at Rishikulya, home to the worlds largest mass nesting site for olive ridley turtles. Shri. Sunny Khokar, IFS Officer; Dr. Anjana K. Prusti, Head & Assistant Professor at Berhampur University; and Mr. Magata Behra, a volunteer from the Purnabandha Turtle Conservatory, shared their valuable insights on the significance of the 6-lakh turtle mass nesting event that takes place annually in Odisha. The session also featured faculty members from various departments of IISER Berhampur, fostering an enriching exchange of knowledge. A documentary showcasing the conservation efforts was screened, with narration provided by Prof. Viswas Chavan and the collaboration of Dr. Azhar Sheikh. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where participants gained a deeper understanding of the conservation challenges and the role of local communities in preserving the turtle population. The event was a resounding success, driven by active participation and collaboration.
4o mini
conducted at IISER Berhampur on 23rd of May, 2023
A Collaborative Event on Turtle Conservation
The event, "The River's Legacy," focused on the remarkable efforts toward turtle conservation at Rishikulya, Odisha, home to one of the largest mass nesting sites for olive ridley turtles in the world. The session featured prominent speakers, including Shri. Sunny Khokar, IFS Officer; Dr. Anjana K. Prusti, Head & Assistant Professor at Berhampur University; and Mr. Magata Behra, a dedicated volunteer from the Purnabandha Turtle Conservatory. Together, they highlighted the extraordinary scale of turtle nesting at Rishikulya, where over 6 lakh turtles gather annuallysetting a global record for mass nesting.
Understanding Turtle Nesting and Conservation Challenges
The event brought together faculty members from various departments of IISER Berhampur, fostering an environment of cross-disciplinary collaboration and learning. The experts shared critical insights into the nesting behavior of olive ridley turtles and the challenges they face, including habitat preservation, poaching, and the effects of climate change. Mr. Behra, with his firsthand experience, discussed the role of local communities and volunteers in safeguarding the turtles during nesting seasons.
A Collaborative Documentary and Engaging Discussions
As part of the event, a documentary highlighting the turtle conservation efforts at Rishikulya was screened, with narration contributed by the team led by Prof. Viswas Chavan. The film captured the essence of the conservation work and the dedication of local volunteers. The event also featured an interactive Q&A session, where participants actively engaged with the experts, deepening their understanding of the importance of preserving this unique ecological site. Oasis thanks Prof. Chavan and Dr. Azhar Sheikh for their support in making the event a success and for their contributions to the documentary's creation.
The event had Maximum numbers of faculties from different departments of IISER Berhampur
The below is the documentary made by Oasis for screening in that day.
Moments -
Visuals from the event
Coordinated by - subrat
Present members were - prajna
Event Written by - anshuman