Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: "Install Transponders In Fishing Vehicles, Nesting Beach Be Fenced": Orissa HC Issues Directions To State Govt. & UOI

The Bench of Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar and Chief Justice B. P. Routray issued several directions while hearing suo-moto PIL [In Re: Olive Ridley Turtles] which was registered, taking into cognizance the Down to Earth Magazine's report (dated 04^th February) based on the death of around 800 Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Death Of 800 Olive Ridley Sea Turtles In Odisha: Orissa High Court Registers Suo Moto PIL

On Friday (26^th February), the Court had formed a three-member Panel, inter alia, to hold consultations with stakeholders and to suggest what steps need to be immediately taken- in the short term, in the medium term and the long term- to ensure that the earlier directions issued by the Court are complied with and that the protection of the Olive Ridley turtles during the nesting season is ensured.

Further, taking into account the report and suggestions submitted by the Committee, the Court directed that the following measures should be immediately put in place by the State:

• The prohibition of fishing activities by trawlers in the area of Devi River Mouth (Keluni Muhan to NewDevi Nasi Island North) should be strictly enforced, with the help of the three marine police stations within the jurisdiction of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, viz., Talachua, Tantiapal and Jamboo.
• The Coast Guard to enforce the ban stringently in association with Forest and Environment Department. The Union of India will also co-operate in this effort.
• No-fishing zones should be clearly demarcated.
• The nesting beach at Gahirmatha should be fenced up at the landward side at the end of the beach with temporary wire mesh over a length of 3 kilometers to protect the nesting olive riddles, eggs, and hatchings from predators like feral dogs, wild pigs, jackals, and hyenas.
• The existing temporary fencing at GogharkudaPurunabandha beach be strengthened likewise.
• The boundary of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary with its geo-coordinates should be uploaded in GSP systems of all fishing boats by the F&ARD Department in order that their movement in the sea can be clearly recorded.
• The State Government will initiate a discussion with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the feasibility of installing transponders in all mechanized fishing vessels and trawlers to enable their being tracked in the sea. The Union of India will extend its cooperation in this matter.

The court has directed that a report on the implementation of the above measures be placed before the Court by the State Government by the next date.

Further, the Committee informed the Court that the financial assistance of Rs.7,500/- given to the fishermen affected by the ban is too meager an amount and thus, a suggestion was put forth that fishing community affected by the ban should itself be engaged in the conservation work as well as in MGNREGA work during the ban period.

Welcoming this suggestion, the Court directed that the State Government to submit its response to this suggestion on the next date.

Lastly, the Union of India through the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India were added as an Opposite Party and the Assistant Solicitor General of India for Union of India was directed to get instructions in the matter.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on 29^th April, 2021.

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order