Rushikulya River:
Forest officials recently restricted entry along a 5-km stretch from Gokharakuda to Bateswar near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district to protect Olive Ridley turtle eggs.
- Rushikulya River is one of Odisha’s prominent rivers, flowing primarily through the districts of Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Boudh.
- Originating at an elevation of approximately 1000 meters from the Daringbadi hills in the Eastern Ghats, often referred to as the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ for its scenic beauty, the river travels a length of around 165 kilometers before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near the town of Ganjam.
- Unlike many other rivers, the Rushikulya River does not form a delta at its mouth, and it flows directly into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Rushikulya River basin encompasses a catchment area of roughly 7500 sq.km.
- Its tributaries are the Baghua, the Dhanei and the Badanadi,
- It is one of the most famous attractions near the river is the Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Site, located on the coast where the Rushikulya River meets the Bay of Bengal.
- Each year, between January and March, thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles come to the shores to lay their eggs, creating a spectacular natural event known as Arribada.
