Chennai: The forest dept’s Chennai wildlife division has begun conservation measures to protect Olive Ridley sea turtles and their nesting habitats ahead of the migratory and nesting season, which will start next month.Chennai wildlife warden Bhargava Teja said under standard operating procedure, boat and beach patrols began this month. Patrols will be of moderate duration, lasting two to three hours, and will be held three to four times a week.The headquarters (wildlife) range will cover the coastal stretch from Marina Beach to Neelankarai and Uthandi in Chennai district. The Pulicat range will patrol the Pulicat coast. The dept will also identify and mark patrol zones and carry out regular beach cleaning. Volunteers will be trained in turtle conservation, nest identifications, and reporting protocols, he said.Separately, the marine elite force (MEF), working with the fisheries dept, has started boat patrols along the Chennai coast. The force is monitoring the movement of trawlers and other fishing vessels to ensure compliance with govt fishing restrictions.Under govt order issued by the animal husbandry and dairying and fisheries dept in Sept 2016, mechanized fishing vessels, motorized country crafts and those using mechanized fishing techniques are barred from fishing within five nautical miles of identified turtle nesting and breeding sites. The ban applies every year from Jan 1 to April 30. (Both days inclusive).The MEF and the fisheries dept will jointly monitor activity within the restricted zone and facilitate action against violators.Bhargava Teja said the measures are aimed at minimizing disturbance to nesting habitats and reducing threats from fishing. They are intended to ensure the safe migration, nesting and survival of Olive Ridley turtles along the Chennai and Pulicat coasts in Tiruvallur district.
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