The Union Home Ministry has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Director General to take appropriate action in ensuring ecosystem and wildlife in the Wheeler Island’s nearby areas pursuant to a direction of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
“Due to inaction of the DRDO and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to control the erosion of environment India’s lone missile test-firing range at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast has become a serious concern not only for the inhabitants of Bhadrak district where it is situated but also for the whole country.
The sand patterns around the Wheeler Island are changing. Due to erosion, some 300 metres of sand area have submerged sometimes and some sand is showing up in other part of the island, this is known to the DRDO. However no sincere steps have been taken to safeguard the area,” alleged petitioner and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.
The petitioner alleged that since the island is close to Gahirmatha that nests olive Ridley turtles, the Chandipur Interim Test Range had filed an affidavit on behalf of the Defence Ministry, two days before the Agni-II missile test on April 9, 1999 saying that there were no plans to test-fire any missile during the mating and nesting period of the sea turtles.
Radhakanta requested the NHRC to protect the side with the advice of NIOT to tackle the situation of erosion and environmental degradation in the area.The DRDO in its response stated that it has been conducting missions of national importance from Wheeler Island with strict compliance to the conditions stipulated by the experts.
The petitioner has sought a direction to consider, missile test firing not be carried out between November and April, which is the peak turtle nesting period at Gahirmatha and lighting arrangements on Outer Wheeler Island during construction, and thereafter, were suitably altered to prevent confusing turtle hatchlings, which have been observed heading away from the sea under the influence of lights.
The petitioner also sought a direction to the DRDO will request the Indian Coast Guard, and possibly the Indian Navy, to assist in patrolling and anti-poaching operations during the nesting period.