Berhampur, March 22: Adverse weather conditions this year has delayed the mass nesting of olive ridley turtles at the Rushikulya river mouth.

"We have made all preparations, including net fencing for mass nesting in the 5km coastline from Purunabandha to Podempeta. Intermittent rain in the area on February 26 and March 15 had hardened the sand. The southern wind, which blows from the land towards the sea always coincides with mass nesting. This wind prevents the smell of olive ridley eggs to reach predators on land near the coast. But, this year it is yet to happen," said Trinath Patnaik, the assistant conservator of forests (Berhampur).

"We have noticed the movement of the turtles very close to the beach and hope for a positive response even though it has been slightly delayed," said Patnaik. He said the mass nesting of the turtles will possibly start after another week.

"The state forest department has set up observation camps and are busy patrolling the sea for the protection of olive ridley turtles and their eggs during their nesting period," Patnaik said.

The mass nesting of olive ridley turtles usually begins at the end of February or by the beginning of March. The process at the Rushikulya river mouth had taken place from March 11 to 18 last year, when 3.9 lakh turtles laid eggs. According to reports, the mass nesting had taken place at the Rushikulya coast as late as April in 2006.

Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee secretary Rabindranath Sahu said: "The mass nesting is expected to take place between March 28 and April 3. We expect it during this time period if there is no rainfall in the area."