CHENNAI: Local fishermen are slowly realising the importance of protecting turtles in coastal districts like Tuticorin and Ramnad in Tamil Nadu, where the drinking of raw turtle blood is believed to cure piles. Some people drink turtle blood and sprint for about a kilometre for digestion. The blood is sold clandestinely in some pockets.
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a unique marine biosphere reserve located in the Tuticorin and Ramnad districts. It is spread over an area of 10,500 sq kilometres with 21 islets and continuous stretches of coral reef. Green, olive ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback turtles have been found here. The reserve is managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Fisherfolk in Keela Veperi hamlet in Tuticorin recently guarded turtle eggs for several weeks until they hatched two days ago. They released the 87 hatchlings in the Gulf of Mannar. A local fisherman Gunarethnam noticed the eggs and protected them along with help from locals and an NGO.
Dr N Gladwin, Research Co-ordinator of Peoples’ Action for Development (PAD) said research conducted by the organisation revealed the turtle population in the Gulf of Mannar is dwindling. Sometime back, a turtle weighing 75 kilos was saved from being butchered at Punnakayal village. Rajendran Prasad, the executive director of the organisation paid Rs 1,500 to the fishermen who had it and released it into the sea. A kilo of turtle meat costs around Rs 120. The hunting of turtles is punishable as they are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Lately, as the Keela Veperi incident indicates, fishermen themselves are keen on conserving turtles. There are several NGOs involved in the research and conservation of turtles in the Gulf of Mannar and elsewhere in the state. PAD has been sensitising the local fishermen about the need to conserve turtles. As part of its efforts, village committees were also formed. To involve school students, ‘3 S’ (Sun, Sea, Sand) clubs were formed. The clubs conduct meetings and programmes to create awareness on turtle conservation, Gladwin said.
Fishermen are realising the importance of protecting turtles
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