Several experts, officials and public representatives on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the extinction of sea turtles along Srikakulam coast, while saying that ecological imbalances would be harmful to entire society and human beings. They said mass destruction of sea turtles would lead to the dearth of fish in coastal areas because turtles indirectly help the growth of fish.
For the first time, the district administration organised a two-day turtle festival at Srikurmam temple premises to create awareness among the public and schoolchildren for the protection of sea turtles. Speaking on the occasion, Conservator of Forests A. Bharat Kumar said humans would not survive if they failed to protect other creatures and plants on earth.
He said that mechanisation of fishing and lack of awareness over the protection turned into major challenges for the survival of turtles in the coastal area. “They need to breathe every 45 minutes. But they cannot do so as many of them are trapped in the nets of fishermen and die immediately.
Humans will not survive if they fail to protect other creatures and plants on earth
A. Bharat Kumar
Conservator of Forests
