Turtle deaths

nearly 12,000 Olive Ridley turtles on the Orissa coast have died so far. According to conservationists, the increased human activity in the area is threatening the turtles. They blame the government's reluctant approach in preventing mass deaths of the turtles on the coast due to trawler operations.

Earlier, the turtles were coming for nesting at the Gahirmatha -- the world's largest rookery on the Orissa coast. However, in the past few years, Rushikulya rookery has been attracting them, say researchers.

The turtles on the Orissa coast are facing hostile climate before and after their mass nesting. The increased human activity in the area is threatening the turtles. Orissa Krusahak Mahasangh president, Banka Bihari Das says that it is high time the government pay attention to the problem.

On the contrary, state forest officials plead helplessness due to lack of adequate staff and guidance from authorities.