Established in 1997 and famous for Olive ridley turtles, Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is located in
Kendrapada District of
Orissa. It is a protected area and forms part of the
Bhitarkanika Sanctuary and National Park.
The rookery at Gahirmatha is the largest nesting ground and the Gahirmatha coastal waters are the largest breeding ground for Olive ridleys in the world. The area is spread over 1,440 sq km and is around 180 km from Bhubaneswar.
Nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar. Nearest railhead is at Cuttack. Kendrapada is a major town nearby.
