Despite the various measures for developing Dhamra as an eco-friendly port being taken up by the Company, concerns about the probable dangers to the nesting and breeding of Olive Ridley turtles by the proposed port have been expressed at various quarters. Most of these are based on apprehensions, which are:

• Not based on facts.
• Or are due to lack of knowledge of the exact location of the port vis-à-vis turtle nesting and breeding.
• Or of the lack of knowledge about the fact that the NEAA after visiting the site has considered all aspects and upheld the environment clearance to the port.

Perceptions 1

Proposed port is located at the mouth of river Dhamra where turtles congregate and nest.

Fact

The proposed port is located not at the mouth of River Dhamra but on the coast to the north of mouth of river Dhamra.

• River Dhamra is a confluence of two major rivers of Orissa, Brahmani and Baitarani, and has one of the widest river mouths.
• The distance between the northern point and the southern most points of the mouth is as much as 4 kilometres.
• It’s separated by an island formation called Kalibhanjdiha within the river itself.
• Thus there are two distinct river channels : a northern one and a southern one (referred to as eastern channel).
• The two channels are further separated by another island formation in the sea called Kanika Sands which is approximately 8 kilometres wide.
• Studies conducted show that the sea enters the river predominantly through the northern channel. The sea receives the river water predominantly from the Southern channel, therefore the river base food system for sea micro organisms is more towards the south of Kanika island.

Perceptions 2

The proposed site is unsuitable for turtles nesting.

Observations made in the judgement of National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA): “The area between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line in the area to be covered by Dhamra Port Expansion Project being of clay soil and very sticky it could never become a breeding centre for turtles.”

Fact

The two sites are physically and visually distinct and separate even more than the distances suggest.

• The area is characterized by a configuration of islands which make the two sites distinctly separate more than the distance suggests.
• The two sites are physically separated by the Wheeler Island which already accommodate Defence establishment of DRDO and the Kanika Island which have thick growth of vegetation.
• There are also a number of other shoals and other islands. Thus the two sites are visually separated by obstruction of islands, structures & trees.

Perceptions 3

Dhamra port is close to the famous Gahirmatha nesting area.

Fact

The site of the proposed port is not close to Gahirmatha or Nasi islands where the turtles nest. “The site of the proposed port is 30 kms away from nesting area by sea and 15 kms as the crow flies.” - Report of Chief Wild-life Warden.

(As stated earlier the river food system is more in the southern mouth of river Dhamra and south of mouth of river Maipura and not to the north of river Dhamra which may explain partly why turtles do not frequent north of river Dhamra).

Fact Proposed site for port is in the only sector of Orissa coast where turtles do not nest.

Fact Turtles congregate south of Gahirmatha whereas Port site is up north.

Research by Mr. Bivash Pandav shows that turtles patches are not evenly distributed in the 750 sq. km. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, but are found in an area of roughly around 35 - 50 sq. km. just south of the nesting beach. The same goes for other reproductive patches along the coast.

Source: Interview given by Mr. Bivash Pandav in August 2000 to ‘Sanctuary Asia’, India's leading wildlife, conservation and environment magazine.

Fact Proposed port site is outside the limits of Gahirmatha Sanctuary and National Marine Sanctuary. The port is sufficiently away from the limits of both Gahirmatha Sanctuary and National Marine Sanctuary, which includes ‘core’ as well as ‘buffer’ area with reference to turtle congregation.