|
2nd ASEAN Symposium and Workshop
on
Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
|
SESSION
1: Management and Conservation
|
ABSTRACTS
|
STATUS
AND CONSERVATION OF SEA TURTLES IN ORISSA, INDIA
S.K.Patnaik1 AND
C.S.Kar2
Orissa, a maritime state located
on the eastern coast of Indian peninsula, is very rich in its natural resources.
Of these, the wealth of reptilian faunal diversity deserves special mention,
which includes a total of 110 species belonging to 21 families. The marine
turtles are represented by 4 species belonging to family Cheloniidae and
Dermochelidae. Results of a continuing study of over two decades (1976-1999)
by the Wildlife Wing of Forest Department of the State indicate that there
are three important mass nesting grounds of the endangered Olive ridley
sea turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz,1829) in Orissa which
are located in the sandspits at the mouths of river Dhamra, Devi and Rushikulya.
Besides, sporadic nesting in considerable numbers also takes place at many
places. The rookery at Gahirmatha coast (Dhamra river mouth) is considered
as one of the largest mass nesting ground of the olive ridleys throughout
its circumglobal range. The nesting beach has been given protected area
status which forms a part of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and National
Park. The breeding ground in front of the mass nesting beach has also been
given a protected area status as the State Government has notified it as
the first marine sanctuary of the state in 1997 known as Gahirmatha (Marine)
Wildlife Sanctuary. This paper deals with the present status of the marine
turtles and their habitats in Orissa. It emphasizes on the conservation
measures already taken up, newly emerging threats and suggests additional
steps needed for their protection and management.
1Government of Orissa, 7-Saheednagar,Bhubaneswar-751007, Orissa, India.
2Forest Department,Wildlife
Wing, Govt. of Orissa, 7-Saheednagar,Bhubaneswar-751007, Orissa, India.
|
