TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The alarming phenomenon of mass deaths among Olive Ridley sea turtles along the Odisha coast has raised concerns about the non-compliance with a crucial two-decade-old order issued by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court.
EXPLANATION:
- We will delve into the primary causes behind the distressing turtle deaths and shed light on the environmental and regulatory factors contributing to this crisis.
CEC’s Directive and State Compliance
- A pivotal report has been submitted by CEC in 2004 following an SC order, with the aim of safeguarding Olive Ridley sea turtles.
- The directive mandated a fishing ban within a 20-kilometer radius from the high tide line at specific mass nesting sites.
- However, the state government’s partial implementation of the fishing ban, particularly in Rushikulya and Devi, points towards non-compliance.
- The failure to enforce the fishing ban within the specified radius has allowed the use of prohibited fishing nets, posing a grave threat to Olive Ridley sea turtles.
- Approximately 200,000 turtle deaths since 2000 underscore the severity of the issue.
- The impact on the adult population and recruitment of smaller size classes could lead to a decline in the overall turtle population.
- The CEC report identifies multiple sources of pollution, including the discharge of toxic pesticides and sediments from paddy fields, pollutants from a fertiliser factory in Paradip, and pollution from vessels near the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- The Paradip port, labeled as one of the most polluted, raises concerns about the untreated waste from nearby factories and its detrimental effects on the marine ecosystem.
Odisha’s Fishing Industry and TED Non-compliance
- The fishing industry, comprising 21,000 vessels, including 2,000 trawlers, is under scrutiny for its non-compliance with Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
- While TEDs significantly reduce turtle capture, none of the trawlers along the Odisha coast are utilizing these devices.
- The Fisheries Department’s failure to withhold license renewals for non-compliant trawlers exacerbates the issue.
Human Activities and Cargo Ship Risks
- The extensive human population along the coastline, heavily reliant on marine resources, contributes to ecological stress on marine flora and fauna.
- Large cargo ships’ proximity to turtle rookeries raises concerns about potential collisions and turtle fatalities.
- The Paradip Trawler Owners Association’s resistance to using TEDs for fear of reduced catches further exacerbates the challenges.
Government Initiatives and Patrolling
- The Odisha Forest Department, in collaboration with the fisheries department, marine police, and coast guard, has initiated patrolling exercises to safeguard Olive Ridley sea turtles.
- However, the inefficiency of patrolling and the non-operational status of high-speed boats acquired for this purpose indicate gaps in the execution of conservation efforts.
Olive Ridley turtles:
- The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
- They are found to be inhabiting the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
- They are carnivores and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, molluscs, and a variety of fish and their eggs.
- The males and females grow to the same size.
- These turtles, along with their cousin the Kemps ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
- The coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley, followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica.
- The species is recognized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red list.
- They lie in Scheduled 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- They are in Appendix I of the CITES.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC):
- The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is a committee established in India to address environmental and conservation-related issues.
- It was created by the Supreme Court of India to ensure compliance with its orders and directives concerning environmental conservation.
- The CEC was initially set up in 2002 and reconstituted in 2008 to enhance its effectiveness in safeguarding the environment.
- The jurisdiction of the committee extends to the whole of India.
- The CEC is typically composed of a group of experts and officials with expertise in various aspects of environmental conservation.
- This includes retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, retired Forest Service officers, legal experts, and environmentalists. The committee is usually chaired by a senior retired IAS officer.
Conclusion: Urgent Need for Action
- The plight of Olive Ridley sea turtles on Odisha’s coast demands immediate attention and comprehensive action. The non-compliance with long-standing directives, coupled with pollution and inadequate conservation measures, poses a severe threat to these endangered species. A holistic approach, incorporating stringent enforcement of regulations, technological interventions like TEDs, and sustained awareness campaigns, is imperative to mitigate the crisis and ensure the survival of Olive Ridley sea turtles.