UNDER THREAT: An Olive Ridley turtle that was washed ashore on the beach in Visakhapatnam. A file photo.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (VSPCA) has demanded a survey all along the 1,000 km.-long coastline in the State on Olive Ridley turtles.

In its annual report for 2004-05 which was released here on Sunday, VSPCA said the Dehra Dun-based Wildlife Institute of India had identified five nesting grounds in the country in the survey conducted four years ago.

The officially-recognised nesting grounds are located at Hope Island (Kakinada), Sriharikota and three locations of neighbouring Srikakulam district.

What the report says

``Our observation is that the number of endangered sea turtles frequenting those places is less than 200. Incidentally, we have identified more sea turtles coming to our small area. Thus, it should be added as another important nesting ground,'' VSPCA president Pradeep Kumar Nath and treasurer Swati Budhiraja told reporters after releasing the report.

The report confirmed spotting of 280 nestings and 270 turtles going back with hatchlings from the Naval Coastal Battery to Endada during the period under review. It said the numbers showed marked increase in nestings despite tsunami.

The report stated that none had ever done a survey of the entire coastline of Andhra Pradesh to include more nesting grounds in the officially-recognised list of Olive Ridley nesting grounds.

The report expressed happiness with regard to drastic fall in the number of dead turtles at Pudimadaka, Bhimunipatnam, Annavaram and other places of North Andhra.

Awareness campaign

This was possible due to an awareness campaign launched among the fishermen communities in collaboration with Vikasa -- an NGO working for the uplift of fishing people -- in 24 villages upstream to Annavaram and Srikakulam.

Mr. Nath thanked the Forest Department for its support in making the turtle conservation drive a success.

The December 26 tsunami also forced trawler operators to keep their vessels idle most of the year, thereby preventing death of turtles due non-use of turtle exclusion devices known as TEDs.

He, however, opposed laying of the 21 km.-long Swarna Andhra Sagara Road from Visakhapatnam to Bhimunipatnam at a cost of Rs.45 crores as the widening of the road in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone would destroy the sea turtle habitats.

Eco disaster

He said the road project would spell environmental disaster and renewed his appeal to the authorities to abandon the project.

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