Berhampur: Residents of Podampeta, a predominantly fisher folk village, near the Rushikulya mouth in Ganjam district are engaged in protecting Olive Ridley sea turtles, who are climbing the beach for mass nesting.

The villagers consider arrival of the sea creature as harbinger of good times. "The turtle (kurma) in Hindu mythology is considered an incarnation of Vishnu," said L Arreya, a villager. "The villagers ensure that the turtles remain unharmed during nesting," he added.