The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Steps to save turtles prove futile

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Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
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Steps to save turtles prove futile

Staff Reporter

Olive Ridleys in large numbers washed ashore the Orissa coast

A dog devours the carcass of a turtle on the Orissa coast

BHUBANESWAR: Despite the fact that the Forest Department claimed to be keeping a vigil on movements of mechanised fishing trawlers, hundreds of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles continued to perish along the Orissa coast.

A large number of carcasses of Olive Ridleys on beaches near Astaranga in Puri district were a disturbing scene. Volunteers working at the mass-nesting site near Jahaniapir beach under Astaranga block alleged about 1,000 Olive Ridley turtles washed ashore in the month of January alone.

“This year above 3000 Olive Ridleys visited our nesting ground. Youths from nearby villages are taking care of these turtles. But unrestricted movement of fishing trawlers along the coast proved fatal for these creatures,” Bichitrananda Biswal of Jahaniapir, Prakruti Bandhu Yuba Sangathan, said.

He said coast guard personnel had come for patrolling a week ago and their absence on the scene for longer period had made the matter worse. On Monday, about seven trawlers were seen fishing unchecked in four-km stretch between Debi Mouth and Kadua along Astaranga coast, Mr. Biswal alleged.

Cause for concern

Activists also expressed concern over increase in the death of turtles. “According to Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendations, local-level protection committees should have been formed taking both traditional fishermen and forest department staff much before. But no step has been taken to evolve coordination for saving the turtles,” said Y. Giri Rao of Vasundhara, a Bhubaneswar-based voluntary organisation.

Officials’ contention

However, forest department officials denied the fact that such a large number of turtles washed ashore the coast. “ Since November, the death toll of turtles could have been between 300 and 400 in their entire stretch from Debi river mouth to Kelunimuhan. Coast Guard is patrolling regularly to prevent mechanised fishing along seashore,” Puri Divisional Forest Officer Sarat Mishra said.

He said the sea also threw a large number of carcasses of Olive Ridleys, many of those could have been died somewhere also, from the deep under the influence of low pressure area.

“We have stopped mechanised fishing along the sea coast. But we cannot prevent movement of boats in the same area. About 100 mechanised boats from Astaranga coast pass through the prohibited zone on their way to deep sea for fishing. They cannot be prevented,” the DFO said.

Orissa coast has been used by these endangered turtles for nesting grounds for a decade now.

However, intensification in mechanised fishing and rise in number of predators such as dogs and hyenas along the coast have put turtles in danger zone.

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