Appreciated For Rescue And Rehabilitation Work

The Annual Sea Turtle Protection Force meeting by Tree Foundation for a safe and secure turtle season 2013 was held at the foundation’s Interpretation Centre at Blue Beach Road, Neelankarai on 2nd December 2012. G. Ezhaumalai, Sea Turtle Protection Force, member from Injambakkam welcomed the gathering. Mr .C.V Sankar IAS, Principle Secretary Environment and Forests Tamil Nadu presided over the meeting. A brief Documentary on ‘Why Care about Turtles’ was screened followed by highlights on the work done by the Tree Foundation in the last ten years. 

Dr Supraja Dharini explained the significance of fishing community member’s involvement, in Sea turtle Conservation and the importance of endangered marine species conservation. She explained how the olive ridley sea turtle is used as a flagship for marine conservation as a whole.Mr. C.V.Sankar IAS appreciated the systematic methodology used by the Tree Foundation’s Sea Turtle Protection Force members in the conservation. He commended the Rescue and Rehabilitation work done headed by Dr Supraja Dharini and the STPF members. 

He was also happy to see the cooperation between the Trawl boat owners association and artisanal fishers. In total 35 turtles were released from entangled nets between January to March 2012.Turtle Awareness Float’ was flagged off on the occasion. About 42 members of the Sea Turtle Protection Force from 21villages along the 120 kms coastline, from Neelankarai to Eggiar Kuppam attended the meeting.