Visakhapatnam: Coastal erosion has been a long-pending environmental issue in Vizag but on Monday it exposed a major environmental threat. Hundreds of eggs of Olive Ridley turtles lay strewn on the beach, most of them in rotten or damaged condition due to erosion and high tide.
The Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs as deep as three feet in the sand but the erosion brought the eggs to surface exposing the truth behind the so called conservation efforts undertaken by the government and non-governmental agencies. It also proved that not far off beaches like Bheemili but even RK Beach in the city is also a major nesting ground of Olive Ridley turtles.
Various academics and environment experts have demanded that parts of the beach be declared protected for conservation of the species. Prof. Bharatha Lakshmi of department of zoology, Andhra University said, “In situ hatching of eggs goes a long way in conservation of these vulnerable species. It would be great if the government could ensure that some areas on the beach is declared protected area as AP is an important nesting site of for these turtles.”
Environmentalists are crying foul over the lack of commitment of the forest department in ensuring the safe hatchings of these eggs, which are affected due to a variety of reasons including pollution and climate change.
City-based environmentalist, J.V. Ratnam, said, “The forest department is getting funds for protection of these turtles but no concrete measures are visible.” Vizag divisional forest officer P. Ram Mohan Rao said, “We understand the importance of the conservation of these turtles hold, and as a long term measure we are planning to start in situ conservation.”
