Turtles in Orissa coast to be protected

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) As many as 6,020 sea turtles have been killed during 2005-06 along the Orissa coast due to use of trawl nets and gill nets by deep sea fishing trawlers, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Replying to written questions, Minister of State for Forests and Environment Namo Narain Meena said several measures were being initiated to protect sea turtles which is an endangered species under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act , 1972.

He said fishing has been prohibited by trawlers and mechanised fishing vessels using gill nets within a sea ward radius of 20 km from Dhamara mouth (Gahirmatha area) during turtle congregation in the specified areas such as Devi river mouth and Rushikalya river mouth along the coast up to 10 km. There is also a ban on fishing by specified categories of gill nets within five km into the sea in the traditional turtles congregation areas during November-May.

UNI SH LR HT1448