Cuttack: The Orissa High Court Monday directed the state government to take steps for protection of Olive Ridley sea turtles during the nesting season.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and BR Sarangi also directed the government to follow the suggested measures, earlier submitted to the court by the state government.
Petitioner Rajiv Dasgupta had moved the High Court alleging government’s apathy towards protection of Olive Ridley sea turtles that use Rusikulya and Devi river mouths for mass nesting from October to March every year.
The petitioner alleged that unabated fishing and mechanised boats have posed a serious threat to the sea creatures. Carcasses of turtles are found on the sea beach on a daily basis due to such illegal activities.
The petition further pointed out that despite of a `3.12-crore project launched to safeguard the Olive Ridley turtles, the state government is yet to achieve any success in providing safety to the endangered species. Besides, the state government is yet to implement the guidelines suggested by researcher Dr. CS Kar, the petition further stated.
Alleging lack of interest by authorities concerned, Das urged the court to declare the Rusikulya and Devi river mouths as sanctuaries for sea creatures and to ban fishing in the zone during the nesting season.
PNN
