Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles: DRDO to Halt Missile Testing

Recently, in preparation for the imminent mass nesting season of the endangered olive ridley sea turtles, the Odisha state government has successfully appealed to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to temporarily cease missile testing along the Odisha coast throughout February and March.

• The DRDO, the apex military research and development agency, will suspend missile testing at Wheeler Island, located off the Odisha coast, during the crucial nesting season of the olive ridley turtles.
• Odisha houses two major missile testing ranges operated by the DRDO: Chandipur in Balasore district and the APJ Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) in Bhadrak district.
• As ....