Dhamra Port not to affect Olive Ridley turtles: PFA.

Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
The Kendrapara unit of the People for Animals (PFA) has discarded the allegation of some organisations that the upcoming Dhamra Port would adversely affect the travelling and nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The proposed Dhamra Port is located at the north of Dhamra river under Josinga gram panchayat of Chandbali block in the district of Bhadrak. It has been alleged by some organisations that the presence of Olive Ridley turtles near the locality of the port would be badly affected by the port.
Responding to the allegation, a PFA team visited the spot and observed that the muddy north beach of Dhamra is unsuitable for habitation and nesting of turtles. The Gahirmatha nesting location is more than 25 km away through the coastal sea route from the port. Even two major rivers, Mahipura and Dhamra, separate Gahirmatha and the port. There are a lot of land masses between the two locations, including Kalinga and Wheeler Islands.
These obstacles result in not a single turtle crossing Maipura river. Again, the PFA also claimed that the Paradip Port is on the way of Olive Ridley turtles' travel path to Gahirmatha, but Dhamra Port limit does not come along the turtle travel path.