downtoearth-subscribe

The core of the problem

  • 14/06/1998

Orissa chief minister J B Patnaik announced on May 22 that the Gahirmatha beach stretching up to Hukitola in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary will soon be declared the "core area' where poaching and entry of mechanised trawlers will be strictly prohibited. Expressing concern over the large-scale death of sea turtles, he pointed out that all rookeries at Chilka, Rusikulya and the Devi river mouth in Astarang will be declared protected zones.

A high-level committee will be set up with the state chief secretary as chair to take all necessary steps for the conservation of endangered sea turtles. The decision to constitute the committee was taken at a meeting that was attended by, among others, Priyambada Hejmadi, a turtle expert, Saroj Patnaik, principle conservator of forests and Bana Behari Panda, director general of police, Orissa.

Indicating that populations of Olive Ridley turtles were fast eroding at the Gahirmatha beach, the chief minister emphasised the need for stringent measures to protect the endangered turtle. Patnaik also declared that there would soon be a research and observation centre on all types of sea turtles along the Orissa coast.

Related Content