BALASORE: Even as Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh shot off a letter to Defence Minister A K Antony alleging violation of restrictions imposed by the Forest Department on test-firing of missiles during turtle season, DRDO officials claimed the organisation did not cause any harm to the turtles but works for their conservation. They said this year, the highest 2.5 lakh turtles nested on Orissa Coast despite the fact that five missiles were test-fired during the nesting season from September to December, of the total 18 missiles tested last year. DRDO officers said the test takes place during daytime and requires only two to three seconds for a missile to take off. Thus, the chances of turtles getting affected by the missile test are remote. Contrary to the claims by forest officials and turtle conservation groups, the sea turtles are coming to new islands close to the test range facilities at Wheeler Island to lay eggs. Sources said the Ridleys in large numbers are coming to islands like Equakula and Inner Wheeler for the past few years for hatching. Integrated Test Range (ITR) Director S P Dash said had the missiles disturbed their movement, the turtles would not have come close to the test range.