The Hindu : National : Greenpeace to document Olive Ridley `phenomenon'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 17, 2004

National

National

Greenpeace to document Olive Ridley `phenomenon'

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR, OCT. 16. When the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles congregate along the Orissa coast in a few weeks from now, members and campaigners of the Greenpeace environmental group will be on the State's coast to take up the cause of the turtles.

It is the first time that a multi-disciplinary team of Greenpeace visiting Paradip. The team that will arrive on November 15 will document and research the mysterious phenomenon of mass congregation and mating of the Olive Ridleys along the State's coast. A group of Greenpeace members had already conducted a field survey of the three major nesting sites.

Third voyage

On her third voyage to India, Rainbow Warrior, the Greenpeace ship, is scheduled to call on Chennai Port and Paradip Port to raise the profile of the rich marine ecosystems, the fragile habitats and the endangered creatures of the World's oceans.

At both these stops on board Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace aims to offer a platform to bring together a cross section of groups and communities directly involved in the protection of the seas. A dialogue on management of network of the global marine reserves and an introduction to sea mounts will be the highlights of the tour, according to Sanjiv Gopal, a Greenpeace campaigner.

Film shows

On the occasion of Rainbow Warrior's visit to the east coast, Greenpeace will focus on the Gulf of Mannar, a unique marine biosphere reserve in Tamil Nadu, and the Bhitarkanika marine sanctuary in Orissa, the world's last remaining mass nesting site of Olive Ridleys. Rainbow Warrior, will be at Chennai port between November 7 and 9 where photo exhibitions, film shows and other interactive programmes will be organised for the students, Greenpeace supporters and interested people.

The ship will be at Paradip port from November 15 to 20. Apart from conducting research on mass congregation of the sea turtles along the coast, the Greenpeace members will also join the World Fisheries Day celebrations with fishworkers groups and unions.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National