EZONE, as part of the Turtle Walk, conducted sensitisation campaigns at Williams Lea and Whirlpool offices.
Williams Lea India is a global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company that specialises in corporate information solutions. They plan to go for voluntary walks looking out for turtle eggs and hatchlings.
HR Director, Pradeepa Ravindran feels that it is a welcome change and a concept that has kindled staff curiosity. “The main idea is to spread awareness and not to gain publicity.”
Whirlpool India kick-started their campaign with a beach clean-up from Thiruvanmiyur to Neelangarai on National Cleanliness Day last month.
About 400 volunteers collected three truck loads of garbage, both organic and inorganic waste. Bobby of the HR dept said that the volunteers expressed a great sense of fulfilment and satisfaction at being part of this campaign.
Interesting encounters
Arun from The Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSCN) said the main focus is the daily walk for about 14 km in search of turtle eggs and hatchlings. So far they have found about 4500 – 4600 turtle eggs and about 30 nests in a span of six weeks. He recalled the walk during a lunar eclipse. The walk went on till 4:00 a.m. the next morning and to his amazement, a turtle came out of the water to lay its eggs on the shore. That he said was an unforgettable experience.
Saravanan, one of the local fisherfolk, has been fighting to save this endangered species from the time he was in Std. X. Even now he continues to spread awareness about the “Save a Turtle” Initiative.
Turtle folklore
In ancient myths and legends, the turtle was always seen as a symbol of strength, stability, benevolence, and wisdom. Here are a few turtle myths and tales, most that do not favour the existence of the endangered species:
Beware of being bitten by a turtle; it will hold on till sunset.
If a turtle bites you, it will not let go until there is thunder.
Turtles when killed will live until the sun goes down.
It is unlucky to kill a turtle which you do not intend to eat.
Always catch a turtle after sundown, for it will bring you good luck.
Good luck comes from keeping a turtle in your garden.
Keep a turtle bone in your pocket for good luck.
Turtle fact
The strength of a full-grown alligator turtle is revealed by its ability to break an oar into small bits by crunching it in its jaws.EZONE is giving away an all-new and informative e-book free of cost. Download it from http://www.ezoneindia.co.in/.
Welcome the Olive Ridley Turtle Trail ! To leave a footprint on the sands of time, call: Hafiz 99401 42349..
Praveen is a Final Year Information Technology student at Rajalakshmi Engineering College.
