Vishakhapatnam a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh was once known for the abundant nesting grounds of Olive Ridley Turtles along its sea coast. But now the town is gradually losing ground due to increased development, poaching and pollution along the coast line. To save the endangered sea turtles and prevent them from extinction, an organisation Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA) has taken an active role by deplyonig rangers who constantly patrol the beaches, monitor nesting sites, eggs and their hatchings. Taking a step further the organisation has involved local villagers, fishermen, in the endeavour by employing and educating them to the cause.
A challenge to the survival of Olive Ridley Turtles has ensued because of increased human activities along the coast line such as tourist, beach developments, pollution, predators, artificial light and poaching. The nesting grounds have been destroyed to give way for seaside resorts which in turn generate garbage including plastic that entangle and choke the turtles.
Baby turtles and mating turtles that crawl along the beaches are targeted by poachers, to be sold as pets and sometimes for folk medicine, jewellery and speciality cuisine. Installing Turtle excluder devices (TEDs), though mandatory, is rarely employed by the fishing industry.
The primary task of VSPA rangers is therefore to patrol the beaches, monitor nesting sites, and see to the protection of eggs and hatching of Olive ridley turtles and certain other endangered species of sea turtles like leatherback turtles, hawks bill, loggerhead, and the green turtles.
VSPCA rangers try to create awareness among the fisher community and villagers on the importance of preserving the turtles and protecting their nesting sites; they also try to convince the fishing trawlers to install TED. This would save many turtles from getting caught in the net and killed by drowning.
The conservation plan covers and encompasses coastal towns and cities like of Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Srikakulam, Pudimadaka, and Bhimili, all in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The organisation involves local communities by providing them with employment and positions like protection officers. The VSPCA (Visakha Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), has accorded top priority to providing protective measures to the endangered sea turtles since 1996.
Their efforts have paid off; the first batch of turtle hatchlings was released to Bay of Bengal in April. Then on, around 188 nestlings have been sighted.
The local community and the saviours seem to be working hand in hand: job opportunities for 40 local people, some of them women, who work outside their homes, is no small achievement. Cattle dung is turned in to usable energy, vermiculture and novel water storage facilities are some of the positive results of creating awareness.
With no grant or funding for any of these wildlife projects, the VSPCA depends on direct donations and support to carry on with its noble cause; it speaks of the deep commitment of people involved.
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Article reference: therainforestsite
Image courtesy: The Hindu
