Kendrapara: The DRDO carried out a test-firing of supersonic missile Torpedo from the Wheeler Island December 13.
In the last two months, the DRDO has conducted several missile tests.
Bright light and fumes that emanate from tests of high power nuclear missiles are leaving adverse impact on endangered Olive Ridley turtles coming for nesting to Gahirmatha inside the Bhitarkanika National Park, a report said.
Environmentalists expressed concern over repeated tests of missiles, saying repeated missile tests may also impact arrival, mating and nesting of the marine turtles at Gahirmatha this year.
Wildlife activist Biswajit Mohanty said that biodiversity of the Bhitarkanika National Park is getting disturbed.
“Apart from natural disasters, various human activities are harming its biodiversity. Eco retreat was kicked off on Pentha beach since December 15. After the end of the festival, the area will be littered with heaps of polythene and plastic material which is more dangerous to the turtles. Besides, repeated missile tests were conducted near the Wheeler Island when thousands of turtles are now headed for the coast for mating and nesting. Missile tests will definitely disturb their usual migratory trajectory,” he observed.
He said environmentalist late Bankabihari Das had requested Dr Abdul Kalam not to carry out missile tests during the breeding season of the turtles.
After discussion in this regard, Dr Kalam had assured Das that the DRDO would not conduct missile tests at that time – from arrival of turtles till departure of the baby turtles into the sea.
However, after the death of Dr Kalam, missiles are still being testfired from the Wheeler Island without care and concern for safety of turtles during their breeding, Mohanty lamented.
Hemant Kumar Rout, president of ‘Samudirka Jiba O Olive Ridley Kainchha Surakhya Samiti’, said that natural calamities harm the environment of Bhitarkanika.
Cyclones and high waves have been damaging the coast as well as the nesting places of the turtles.
“Backto-back tests of missiles will also affect migration of turtles in the area this year,” Rout said.
Environmentalist Jagannath Das said while prawn gherries have been polluting the coastal environment, missile tests are not good for safety of the endangered marine turtles.
Gahirmatha range officer Debasish Bhoi said the DRDO authorities have been intimated through a letter about arrival of turtles. There will be a discussion on the issue with the DRDO soon, he added.
PNN