(a) whether the Government has taken steps to preserve and protect Olive Ridley Turtles during their breeding season off the coast of Andhra Pradesh;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the rookeries been set up in the State and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether there has been any change in the population of Olive Ridley turtles in the years since conservation effort have been undertaken; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) and (b) As per the information, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh is taking measures for protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtle during their breeding season along the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
The important steps taken by the State Government for protection of Olive Ridley turtle during breeding season includes:
• Hatcheries have been established at different places.
• Forest Department, local communities, industries under part of CSR Component, NGOs are participating in protection and in-situ & ex-situ conservation of nests thus protecting the turtle in every important and vulnerable phase of its life cycle.
• Mechanized boats are not allowed to operate within 4.32 nautical miles of the shore in Andhra Pradesh.
• Ray fish nets are banned under law.
• Trawlers that target shrimp fisheries are required by law to be fixed with Turtle Exclude Device (TED) to save turtles.
(c) Nearly 2500 nests have been located all along the coast of Andhra Pradesh spreading over all the coastal districts of the State.
(d)and (e) There is a significant increase in the Olive Ridley Turtles population due to the protection and conservation measures being taken up by the Forest Department.
Further, by ex-situ conservation efforts, 16,39,557 Sea turtle hatchlings have been released since 2010.
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