By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra while chairing State High Power Committee on conservation of Olive Ridley Turtles here , said Odisha model in preservation and growth of turtles under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has proved as the best practice. The scientists like Dr K. Sivkumar of Wild life Institute of India and Dr Priyambada Mohanty ( Hejmadi) said “Odisha has contributed significantly towards preservation and growth of this endangered species. Odisha model for conservation of the species has been applauded in international forums”.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Dr Mona Sharma outlined the issues for discussion in the meeting held on digital mode from Lokseba Bhawan. Dr Sharma appraised that “four wildlife divisions of the State namely Bhadrak, Rajnagar, Puri and Berhampur are in readiness for conservation operations this year. These divisions have been equipped with 5 numbers of high speed boats, along with 13 trawlers and support boats for chasing the illegal activities in the sea. PCCF Wild life Dr Sashi Paul appraised that last year around 3.5 lakh turtles laid eggs in Gahiramatha coast. Thirty eight trawlers were seized and 202 persons were arrested. Mass nesting took place at Gahiramatha between 10 March to 24 March.
The Secretary Fisheries and Animal Resource Development R. Raghu Prasad said “ In the meanwhile a mobile app has been developed for the fishermen and the officers at the ground level. The fisherman can see the no fishing zone in the app itself. They will also get an alert message when they enter to the no fishing area”. The Chief Secretary directed all officers engaged in the conservation operation to download the app for asserting location of the fishing boats.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Dr Mona Sharma, PCCF Head Sri Sisir Kumar Ratho, PCCF Wild Life Sri Sashi Paul, Expert Member Dr Priyambada Mohanty ( Hejmadi), Coast Guard Commandant, Director wild life Institute, Deheradun, along with senior officers from concerned departments, DRDO, Paradeep, Dhamara Paradeep and Gopalpur ports participated in discussions.
