The Ganjam coast in Odisha which is famous for mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles, has also been found to be a potential habitat for different species of dolphins.
Forest officials recently spotted dolphins of two different species near Gokharakuda close to Rushikulya river mouth.
"Humpback and bottlenose species were sighted by a patrolling team," Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Berhampur, A K Behera said today.
Though seven bottlenose dolphins were sighted near Gokharakuda in early 2015, the forest officials could not find any during a consequent survey along the 54-km-long coastline in February that year.
The enumeration team instead spotted 24 dolphins of two species near Boxipalli, Markandi and Pati Sonepur, about 30 km away from Gokharakuda.
While 22 bottlenose dolphins were sighted along the coast from Boxipalli to Markandi area, two humpback dolphins were spotted near Bahuda river mouth at Pati Sonepur in the district.
"With the sighting of such large numbers of dolphins, we can assume that the Ganjam coast is also a potential site for different species of the sea mammal. We will soon submit a report to the state government for conservation and protection of the dolphins in the area," the DFO added.
