Marine patrolling to be tightened for olive ridley safety in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In view of arrival of a number of sea turtles for laying eggs at the coast every year, Odisha government decided to tighten marine patrolling for safety of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

As the number of sea turtles is increasing during breeding season, a sea turtle research centre has been proposed to be established either in Rushikulya or Gahirmatha to boost marine research and tourism.

The move came at a high level meeting chaired by chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the state secretariat here on Wednesday.

As per the decisions at the meeting, except fishermen nobody will be allowed to enter the sea for the safety and protection of the endangered species those will arrive in the land from November 1 from the sea.

If anyone is found fishing illegally on the sea, their boat and trawlers will be seized.

The fishermen will be provided livelihoods by the government during prohibitory order on fishing in the sea.

The sea patrolling will be tightened with help of marine police at the coast. The authorities of Dhamra, Gopalpur and Paradip ports have been asked to provide vessels required for the marine police patrolling.

The boats and trawlers that will be seized for illegal fishing will be stationed at Barunei, Gupti, Sashanpeta and Krushnapriyapur.

Similarly, a central management unit will be set up at Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) office for safety and conservation of olive ridley.

Besides, a managment unit under direct supervision of RCCF will be set up in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Baripada for monitoring the activities in circle level. Total 62 camps will be set up on and near the sea shores. Each camp will be provided VHF, mobile phone and other equipment.

The APR forces will be deployed for patrolling and enforcement. The ports and industrial institutions located near the sea have been asked to obey the electrification rules.

In order to protect the eggs and nests, the area will be cordoned after the sea turtles lay eggs. The egg lying process of the turtles will be managed through the website www.manage.odishawildlife.org.