Endangered Marine Turtles
(India)
On the eastern shore of India, along the
Orissa coast, the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle is
facing yet another challenge to its survival. Plans are
currently underway to construct a massive deep water port at
the mouth of the Dhamra River, just north of the Gahirmatha
Marine Sanctuary – the largest of only three nesting sites
for the Ridley in the world. Every winter, more than half a
million turtles mate in the shallow, calm ocean waters, then
the females journey ashore for the arribada or “mass
nesting.” For the first time, in 2008 there was no arribada
on the Orissa beach.
In addition to the ongoing threats these turtle face from
trawlers, gill netting and environmental factors such as
global warming, the construction of the port will introduce
numerous new stresses. Increased shipping traffic will deter
the turtles from coming in from the sea to mate and nest;
dredging, oil spills and chemical leaks with add deadly
pollutants to the ocean waters; and artificial lighting will
confuse the instinctual movements of both adults and
hatchlings.
 The
Olive Ridley’s will not be able to adapt to these new
threats quickly enough to shift the arribada to a
safer and more suitable location, however the location of
the port can.
Get involved!
Read background information on the campaign and
join an international letter writing campaign to halt
development in Orissa.
More information, press and partners >>>
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