Save endangered Olive Ridley turtle; Mahtab

New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) Bhartruhari Mahtab of the BJD today urged the government to direct the DRDO not to undertake testing of missiles in Orissa's region during the period of nesting of Olive Riedley turtle, an endangered species.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, he said the Defence Research and Development Organisation had entered into an agreement with the Orissa government that it will not undertake testing of missiles nor use bright lights during the breeding period of the endangered turtle. Alleging violation of the agreement, he said because of it the turtle missed its annual nesting period this year.

The BJD member urged the government to issue the necessary directions to the DRDO which is scheduled to testfire Agni-3 this month-end.

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