Save the Turtle

A friend of mine just sent me a mail in which he said:

"I've just written to Ratan Tata asking him to not to go ahead with building a port in Dhamra, Orissa, dangerously close to one of theworld's largest sea turtle nesting grounds for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. I think its a good idea for Mr. Tata to move the port toanother location rather than endanger the turtles. By living up to the Tatas' environmental legacy, Ratan won't just save the highly-endangered Olive Ridley Turtles, he will also end up making Tata a better company."

He goes on to talk about how everyone should send Mr Tata a petition. I'm not sure if petitions would make any difference but I suppose there's no harm in trying.

The Dhamra Port which is is being constructed at one of the largest mass nesting sites of turtle in the world is a 50:50 joint venture of the Tatas and L&T and is apparently being financed by ICICI Bank. [1]

Belinda Wright, Executive Director of WPSI has said that 'the olive ridley turtle is a species that enjoys the same legal protection as the tiger. Yet despite its ecological significance, the Dhamra area was purposely excluded from Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha Sanctuaries to facilitate the Dhamra Port.' [2]

Sources:
[1] http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/04/stories/2006110400702000.htm
[2] http://www.greenpeace.org/india/tata-port-threatens-sea-turtle