Mahakalpara: If the recovery of a carcass of an Olive Ridley turtle from Lanchghola casuarina forest under Gahirmatha marine sanctuary Sunday is any indication, it can be surmised that illegal and indiscriminate fishing activities are still on despite a ban and marine patrolling.
The Olive Ridley turtles choose Gahirmatha marine sanctuary for they feel safe here. As the atmosphere here is conducive for their reproduction, lakhs of these marine creatures cover a long distance in waters to reach here and lay eggs. They come on to Hukutola, Agarnasi, Habalakhati, Lanjaghola, Madali, Shola Muhana, Satabhaya and Babubali sand beds of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.
Every year the forest department claims that all measures are being taken to ensure these marine guests’ safety. This area is declared as a restricted area between November and May. Any kind of fishing activities involving modern equipments is fully banned. In spite of all that, there are some gaps cashing in on which some unscrupulous fishermen habitually trespass into the banned area and catch fish illegally. The turtles die when dash against the trawlers. Their carcasses being fed on by kites, vultures, crows, dogs, jackals and hyenas has been a common scene here every year.
An example of illegal fishing activities came to the fore Sunday when perhaps the first carcass of an Olive Ridley turtle was found on the sand bed of Lanchghola casuarina forest.
Gahirmatha range officer and ACF Arabinda Mishra informed that 30 fishermen have been arrested and three trawlers seized from Balaramgadi and Kasaphala area coming under the banned area. The revelation has implicitly confirmed the rampant fishing activities.
The forest department, fishery department, marine police and coast guards are conducting patrolling using ultra modern speed boats. Gahirmatha range officer and ACF Arabinda Mishra also keeps saying that the safety measures are strictly followed in the marine sanctuary.
Animal lovers and environmentalists question how these fishermen get into the banned area despite all the measures. “Unless the concerned officials are stricter, the desired result would not be achieved. Hence they should be more vigilant to ensure safety of these marine guests,” they urged.
PNN