A high power committee (HPC) meeting for protection and conservation of Olive Ridley sea turtles was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati on Thursday.
Reviewing the steps taken so far in this direction, the Chief Secretary directed the Departments of Fishery, Forest and Marine Police to operate in close coordination and ensure strict enforcement of the conservation rules.
The Coast Guard has been requested to have real time intelligence sharing with the Departments about any illegal fishing. The Chief Secretary also advised the Marine police to utilise their vessels for chasing and apprehension of the trespassers to the banned region. Dhamara Port and Paradip Port Trust have been requested to provide necessary assistance in the matter and follow the dark sky lighting technology. This lighting technology prevents disorientation of Olive turtles.
Pati directed the Forest Department to advise all the port and existing industries near the coast to follow the lighting norms.
Replying to the media query after the meeting, PCCF, Wild life SS Srivastav said that this year the Coast Guard has increased its strength and capacity. Two new radars have been installed along Odisha coast which would be helpful in detection of any boat or illegal activity within the banned area. The fishing ban has been imposed on November 1 and fishing communities have been informed about it. They have also been requested to cooperate in conservation of the valuable species like previous years.
A circle level monitoring will be done by RCCF, Bhubaneswar, Brhmapur and Baripada. The Coast Guard had nominated a senior nodal officer for this activity. By now 57 patrolling camp sites have been established by Forest department. Each camp will soon be provided with VHF, mobile phones and other camping and chasing logistics. High speed sea boats will be used for chasing and apprehension. It has been decided to involve NGOs and community based civil society organisations actively in the operation.
Available data show that because of protection and conservation activities, there has been constant increase in nesting of the sea turtles in Odisha coast over last 7 years.
In the year 2008-09 total nesting was estimated around 4.28 lakh which increased to 5.13 lakh in 2009-10 and further to 6.94 lakh in 2012-13. In the year 2014-15 the total nesting was estimated at 7.22 lakh. This year for 2015-16 the nesting season has started and the turtles have started moving towards coast.