It is shocking to note that the once silent and sensitive zones meant for the Olive Ridley turtle conservation project have reportedly now been declared as commercial zones as per a government gazette. It is pertinent to note that it was decided by the Goa Coastal Management Authority (GCZMA) to declare the beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda and Galgibaga, which are the turtle nesting sites, as ‘silent zones’. The sites have been designated as turtle nesting sites and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The Olive Ridley turtles make their yearly journey to these pristine shores to lay eggs from November to April. Declaring the beaches as commercial zones will keep the Olive Ridley turtles away from the nesting site. If declared as a commercial zone, loud music will be played in the shacks and the movement of people will keep the turtles away from their nesting site. The government needs to have a rethink on declaring the beach front as a commercial zone. We need to conserve the Olive Ridley turtle which has been declared as an endangered species by allowing them to breed.
