Kendrapada, Odisha — A temporary forest watcher tragically passed away while on duty in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, known for its efforts to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. The deceased, identified as 56-year-old Chandan Maiti from Mundatala village, was found unresponsive on Wednesday night aboard a forest patrol vessel.
Maiti was part of a team assigned to safeguard the nesting turtles during the sanctuary’s annual seven-month fishing ban. The fishing ban is a key conservation effort aimed at protecting Olive Ridley sea turtles in their critical nesting grounds, the largest of its kind in the world.
Forest authorities are awaiting the autopsy results to determine the exact cause of Maiti’s death. Pradosh Moharana, the Forest Range Officer of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, confirmed that the body had been sent to Rajnagar Hospital for post-mortem examination.
This tragic incident occurred as part of the ongoing conservation efforts to ensure the safety of the turtles during their breeding season. Senior forest officials, including Sudrashan Gopinath Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer of Bhitarkanika National Park, and Manas Kumar Das, Assistant Conservator of Forest, extended their condolences.
The forest department has increased patrols in the region, deploying multiple patrol vessels and personnel to enforce the fishing ban and further protect the endangered species during this crucial period.
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