Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken by
Indian Coast Guard
Understanding Operation Olivia and Olive Ridley Turtle Protection
The question asks about which organization undertakes 'Operation Olivia', an initiative specifically aimed at protecting Olive Ridley turtles. This operation is a significant conservation effort focused on the coastal areas where these turtles engage in mass nesting.
Operation Olivia: Protecting Olive Ridley Turtles
Operation Olivia is a dedicated annual exercise. Its primary goal is to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles during their breeding and nesting season, particularly along the Odisha coast of India. This area, especially Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, is one of the world's largest rookeries for these turtles.
The operation involves:
- Surveillance of coastal waters to prevent illegal fishing activities that might harm the turtles or their habitat.
- Enforcement of wildlife protection laws in the breeding areas.
- Coordination with other government agencies and wildlife departments for effective conservation.
Which Organization Undertakes Operation Olivia?
The organization primarily responsible for undertaking Operation Olivia is the Indian Coast Guard. They deploy ships, aircraft, and personnel to patrol the coastal waters, create a protective environment for the turtles, and deter activities that threaten their survival during the crucial nesting period.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at why the other options are not the primary body undertaking Operation Olivia:
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Indian Navy | While the Indian Navy is a vital defense force, its primary role is national security in deep waters. It is not typically involved in specific wildlife conservation operations like Operation Olivia, which focuses on coastal areas and enforcing specific conservation laws related to turtles. |
| Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | This ministry is responsible for policy-making, environmental protection, and wildlife conservation laws at the national level. State forest departments manage wildlife sanctuaries. While they play a crucial role in policy and sanctuary management, the operational enforcement and patrolling at sea for Operation Olivia are carried out by another agency. |
| Ministry of Earth Sciences | This ministry deals with aspects related to earth sciences, including meteorology, oceanography, and seismology. It is not directly involved in the operational protection of wildlife like the Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season. |
| Indian Coast Guard | This organization is responsible for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal security in India's territorial waters. Their mandate includes protecting marine environment and wildlife. Operation Olivia falls squarely within their responsibilities for coastal patrolling and environmental protection. |
Based on the roles and responsibilities of these organizations, the Indian Coast Guard is the correct answer as the primary agency conducting Operation Olivia to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles.
Revision Table: Operation Olivia Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operation Name | Operation Olivia |
| Target Species | Olive Ridley Turtles |
| Purpose | Protect turtles during breeding/nesting season |
| Primary Undertaker | Indian Coast Guard |
| Key Location | Odisha Coast (especially Gahirmatha) |
| Frequency | Annual |
Additional Information on Olive Ridley Turtle Conservation
The Olive Ridley turtle (\(Lepidochelys olivacea\)) is the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world. They are famous for their unique mass nesting phenomenon called 'Arribada' (Spanish for 'arrival'), where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs on specific beaches. The Odisha coast is critical for this phenomenon.
Threats to Olive Ridley turtles include:
- Poaching and illegal trade
- Predation of eggs and hatchlings
- Habitat destruction (nesting beaches)
- Entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch)
- Marine pollution
Operation Olivia is a crucial step by the Indian Coast Guard to mitigate the threats from human activities, particularly illegal fishing and ensuring safe passage for the turtles to their nesting sites during the breeding season, typically from November to May.
Important Questions from Military Exercise
Consider the following statements about 'Exercise Sea Vigil-22':
1. Its aim is to assess India's preparedness in the domain of Maritime security and coastal defence.
2. Naval forces of USA and Japan also took part in the exercise.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The 4th edition of joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK' between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in :
The maiden Indian Navy - European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) Exercise (2021) was conducted in
SIMBEX is a military exercise conducted between the defense forces of which of the following nations?
What is the name of the anti-hijacking exercise conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard?
