Wildlife Institute of India monitors Olive Ridleys on Ganjam coast

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has established a temporary study camp near Berhampur at Ganjam (Rushikulya) for monitoring the population of Olive Ridley sea turtles, their nesting and breeding behaviour.

According to an official release the WII is also monitoring migration of these turtles through radio telemetry. Various protection measures have been taken by the State Forest Department to protect the off-shore and on-shore turtles’ populations along the Rushikulya river mouth.

A forest camp has been established by the Forest Department to monitor and protect both on-shore and off-shore sea turtles. The entire beach of the Rushikulya, where mass nesting takes place, is fenced to protect turtles’ nests from predators like dogs, hyena and jackals.

The State Government has also initiated education and awareness programmes in the nearby coastal villages for seeking cooperation of the local people in its endeavour to protect sea turtles.

Source: The Pioneer

Destination Development Scheme for TaraTarini

BERHAMPUR: In recognition of the ever growing tourist influx to Taratarini the Orissa Government has announced that the Hill Shrine will be covered under the Destination Development Scheme. This comes after the official disclosure that the Taratarini Hill Shrine has emerged as one of the most visited religious destinations in Orissa. According to sources, Orissa Government plans to develop 36 tourist destinations in the State under various schemes. While 31 destinations are proposed to be renovated under Destination Development Scheme (DDS) and Circuit Development Scheme (CDS), the remaining five locations will be developed under Mega Circuit Scheme.The destinations like Tara Tarini, Rambha, Bhanjanagar, Sambalpur, Hirakud, Dhamra, Pradhanpata, Khandadhar,Vedavyas, Pitamahal, Khinda, Deogarh, Debrigarh, Barabati, Paramhansa, Nemala, Churchika, Dhabaleswar are proposed to be developed under the Destination Development Scheme (DDS) and Circuit Development Scheme (CDS). Similarly, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput and Raygada will be developed under Mega Circuit Scheme (MSC). The State Government has requested the Centre for development of these destinations, said Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra.

Source: Govt of Orissa