Gahirmatha Sanctuary

Gahirmatha Sanctuary is one of the most reputed breeding grounds of the Olive Ridley sea turtles. The sanctuary is located on the confluence of the River Dhamra with the Bay of Bengal. The region is one of the three sites in the world visited by the sea turtles. Owing to its importance, the sanctuary has been declared as one of the heritage sites of the world.

The Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary spreads over a sprawling area of 1435 square kilometers. It stretches across 35 kilometers along the coast of Gahirmatha in the Kendrapara district of the state of Orissa. The nesting grounds of the turtle are well protected and was declared a protected area by the government in the year 1997. The breeding area has been named as the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary. Earlier, fishing and poaching activities were rampant in the region. These harmful activities of human beings disturbed the ecological system in the region, forcing the turtles to change their nesting grounds several times.

Turtle travel across the pacific ocean every year to arrive at Gahirmatha. The Bhitar Kanika Sanctuary is situated close to the sanctuary. The best time to visit the Gahirmatha Sanctuary is between the months of October to February.