|
 River diversion and soil erosion threat turtle nesting Erosion and diversion of Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha's Ganjam district seems to
be posing a serious threat to the annual mass nesting of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The marine species started sporadic nesting in the area
this season along the four-km-long stretch from Purunabandh to
Gokharakuda near the Rushikulya river mouth.
"The entire site is now submerged due to shifting of the
river mouth which is likely to cause problem for the Olive
Ridley turtles to lay eggs in mass," said divisional forest
officer, Berhampur, A K Jena.
They are likely to choose some other site for their
annual nesting off Ganjam coast, he added.
Some experts, however, raised doubts over continuity of
the mass nesting near the coast, when their traditional
nesting site was wiped out.
"If they don't feel comfort, they
may shift to other places," said a turtle expert.
He said rapid erosion and shifting of the river mouth
was due to the climate change and a natural phenomenon.
Lakhs
of Olive Ridley turtles, however, are seen swimming near the coastal area in Ganjam for nesting, wildlife officials said.
The DFO said forest officials have kept ready other
probable sites near the traditional mass-nesting site for
Olive Ridley sea turtles.
"We have surveyed some of the probable sites off the
Ganjam coast, where the turtles are likely to lay the eggs in
mass on Saturday.
We have asked the field staffs to keep a
close watch on these probable sites," Jena said.
Meanwhile, about 100 children, mostly members of
eco-clubs of five nearby high schools, took part in a cleaning
drive on the coast to facilitate nesting of turtles. |
