Lok Sabha Question No. 360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Turtle Conservation Centre
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 360 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## Turtle Conservation Centre

## 360. SHRI RAMALINGAM S.:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  establish  Turtle  Conservation  Centre  in Mayiladuthurai  and  Nagapattinam,  Srikazhi,  Vedaranyam  Range  due  to  predominant increase in annual nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) Whether the Government has taken any concrete steps/programmes/awareness/rehabilitation  centres  to address  climate  change  issues  such as  cyclones,  higher  rainfall,  landslides  in  sea  shores  villages  including  Tharangambadi, Poompuhar, Thoduvai, Thirumullaivasal, Keelumoovarkara, Nadhalpadugai, MudhalaimeduThittu, Mathirvelu, Kodiyampalayam, Vellamanal, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) Whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiatives/activities/programmes  to  increase sustainable mangrove plantations in the Tamil Nadu specifically in Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) As  per  the  information  received  from  the  Tamil  Nadu  Forest  Department,  the works for the establishment of a Sea Turtle Conservation Centre in Nagapattinamincluding  designing  and  preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report have been initiated by the State Government.
- (b) As  informed  by  the  Tamil  Nadu  Forest  Department,  District  Climate  Change Mission has been formed in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthuraiwhich organizes conferences  and  awareness  programmes  at  district  levels.  It  has  also  been informed that, during last year, a total of 30000 Casuarina seedlings have been planted along sea shore to create bio-shield. Dibbling of around 40000 Palmyrah nuts has also been done under the Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats Scheme.
- (c) The  Government  of  India  has  launched  the  MISHTI  Programme  (Mangrove Initiative  for  Shoreline  Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes)  in  order  to  protect  and enhance the mangrove cover in coastal States and UTs. The  MISHTI programme  envisages  restoration  and  reforestation  of  mangroves  covering approximately  540  km 2 ,  spread  across  9  coastal  States,  including  Tamil  Nadu and  3  Union  Territories  for  a  period  of  five  years  commencing  2023-24 onwards.

As informed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department,initiatives have been taken to  restore and  increase  the  mangrove  plantation  in  and around the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, which include:

- i) Modified fish bone planting in 25 hectares by using 27500 propagules in Kudikadu village near Cuddalore during 2023-24.
2. ii) Restoration  of  100  hectares'  mangrove  plantation  in  Killai  Reserve Forest by using 55000 propagules during 2023-24.
3. iii) Linear planting of mangrove in 10 hectares by using 10000 saplings in Killai Reserve Forest during 2023-24.
4. iv) Chain link fencing for 250 hectares' mangroves plantation area has been completed to protect the mangrove area from feral cattle population and other offences during 2023-24.
- v) Nursery development  for  2,55,000  mangrove  sapling  has  been  done  in Killai Reserve Forest during 2023-24.