To save Olive Ridley turtles

The olive ridley sea turtle has an olive colored heart shaped shell, the Lepidochelys olivacea is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It nests at several sites in the western Indian Ocean, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The single most important breeding area for olive ridleys in the Indian Ocean along the Bay of Bengal is Orissa.

Though Hindu mythology worships sea turtles as an incarnation of one the gods. Most, fishing communities along the coast do not consume turtle eggs or meat. However, these endangered species remain threatened by various other factors like trawling, offshore drilling for oil and gas, and the proposed construction of an industrial port near the nesting sites.

This nesting beach in Rushikulya is one of the most important breeding areas for the Olive Ridley sea turtle in the Indian Ocean

Over 100,000 dead Olive Ridleys have been washed ashore on the beaches of Orissa in the last decade alone. The turtles are caught in the trawler’s nets being dragged far behind the boats. Unable to surface, the turtles suffocate to death and drown. Olive ridley turtles feed on invertebrates and may play important roles in both open ocean and coastal ecosystems.

Dead Olive Ridley turtles litter at a beach

S Murali Mohan Rao, [Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) State vice-president] took part in the annual moonlight hiking from Tenneti Park to Rushikonda as part of the awareness programme on conservation of Olive Ridley turtles. More such programmes and enforcement of the ban on trawling are required to conserve these endangered turtles.

Are your cruise ship travels killing the oceans?

You might not be aware that billions of gallons of cruise ship waste adversely affect coastal waters. To prevent the same, the Alaskan state program plans to put in place inspection rangers on cruise vessels to check the ships’ waste disposal methods and prevent pollution.

The number of travelers on board cruise ships has increased and so have the number of ships. In Alaska the number of passengers has grown to more than 12 million in 2006 from about 500,000 in 1970, according to the cruise lines group. From 2000 to the end of this year, 88 new ships will have been introduced. The vessels have grown larger as well.


A California state senator, Joe Simitian, said:

Imagine how you would feel about 1,000 families tossing garbage onto your front lawn for a week.

How do cruise ships affect the oceans?

� On average, a cruise ship generates 140,000 to 210,000 gallons of sewage and a million gallons of wastewater from sinks, showers and laundries each week. The United States Commission on Ocean Policy reported in 2004.

� Sewage carries germs that can contaminate shellfish beds and harm other life, while phosphates, nitrates and other wastewater compounds can trigger huge growths of algae that cloud the water, reduce oxygen, smother corals and kill fish. � Cruise ships’ fuel often contains sulfur dioxide, and ships sometimes incinerate garbage, releasing dioxins and fine particles that can trigger respiratory ailments.


The Alaskan ocean ranger program, applies to ships with more than 250 passengers. The initiative requires that the rangers be marine engineers licensed by the Coast Guard who are also trained in wastewater treatment systems and environmental and public health rules. The program will cost each passenger $4, funds that will also pay satellite transponders to track the ships’ movements in and out of state waters.

Cruise lines are also experimenting with technology to reduce the amount of noxious chemicals and ash that smokestacks release. Ships could also plug into shore power stations to reduce air emissions while in port, which is already happening in Alaska, Washington and California. The point is that more awareness and newer technology needs to be put into place to protect the oceans, already effected by global warming.

Source: The New York Times

Will Galapagos islands no longer be open to tourists?

The name Galapagos itself is a calling card that beckons you and thousands of tourists to its spectacular landscape and endemic species. After all, who would not want to visit such unique islands with no natural predators?

Galapagos, bartolome island

However, it is the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos,which is under threat from a booming tourism industry, a growing local population and the introduction of invasive species.

A group of marine iguanas on the Galapagos Islands

These volcanic islands, 1,000km (625 miles) west of Ecuador’s coast, inspired naturalist Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, now the government has been forced to halt tourism to the Galapagos.

Blue footed boobies The islands unique species include centenarian giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and even vampire finches. Nazca booby (masked booby) Sula granti

These are under pressure from non-natives species such as black rats, dogs, goats and cats which have been steadily introduced since British pirates visited the islands in the 18th century. Illegal fishing is also dramatically reducing the sea life around the islands especially of sharks and sea cucumbers. Giant tortoises

Thousands of people visit the Galapagos each year and the permanent population has increased in line with tourism. More than 30,000 people are believed to live on the islands but about half do so illegally.


Prohibiting people from visiting the island will only result in illegal tourism, a better idea would be to have only very specific numbers of tourists visit. After all tourism and fishing is the mainstay of the islands economy. Tourism revenue could be channeled into conservation, it would be a good means to sustain these islands as well.

Source: Telegraph

Birding by boats

Have you ever been bird watching from a boat? If not, then do try it, it could be quite a novel experience. Using a boat gives you a chance to move quietly, access becomes easier and you get a chance to view some unique species. Canoing and Kayaking are one of the least invasive and most enjoyable ways to bird watch from the water.

Bird watching on the river and mangroves by boat, Image credit

Melanie Driscoll of the National Audubon Society in Baton Rouge, Louisiana said:

Kayaking or canoeing is one of the few ways to reach habitats that otherwise are inaccessible. It’s a good way to count birds by ear. You can even get to birds migrating through. Warblers and other birds that nest over water are more approachable.

A trip to Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County, California, Image credit: Whalt

Another advantage would be to use The Hobie Cat Co., Kayaks, which offers a line of kayaks propelled by foot, much like a bicycle so that your hands are free for more important things, such as shooting a camera, logging a bird sighting or working a fishing rod.

Tips: 1) Always waterproof expensive gear 2) Do try to blend in with the environment, Subdued colors are best when mingling with wildlife. Kayaks or outboard-powered boats painted sand or green are good choices.

Roseate Spoonbills, Image credit

3) The best times for bird viewing are early morning or late evening, when the low sun casts a soft, buttery light. Birds are more active then, too. 4) Keep your distance and slowly follow the drift.

Great Egrets, nest-building , Image credit

Useful Accessories: ’sidekick’ can be attached to the back of a kayak for additional stability, with this you can you can stand up, walk around the boat, reach for the rear hatches and even swing your legs over the side. You could also attach a fabric cover that screens the lower half of the kayaker’s body, converting the boat, in effect, into a floating photo blind.

Purple Gallinule, Image credit: Lee

What does the birder glimpse? Well among others, you are likely to view Roseate spoonbills, Bald eagles, Great egrets, green and blue herons, purple gallinule. So do plan a trip for colorful bird watching from a boat.

Source: CNN

Environmental awareness grows, the color of new face of travel changes

The World Travel & Tourism Council announced the winners of the seventh Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Lisbon last night. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise and promote the world’s leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development across four categories.


Image Credit

The winners are:- Destination Award - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia.

It maintains a delicate balance between supporting tourists and lessening their impact on the environment. Conservation Award - Aspen Skiing Company, United States.

It made a significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of nature or cultural heritage. Investor in People Award - Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia.

The owners set up the Sumba Foundation to channel tourist-generated donations into community development projects that would directly benefit the local population - helping to improve living conditions and dramatically reduce malaria rates.

Global Tourism Business Award - Lindblad Expeditions.

It has long advocated sustainable tourism and takes about 16,000 travelers each year on conservation voyages to destinations from the Galapagos and Antarctica to Mexico and Alaska.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have grown in stature since their commencement in 1989, with the number of entries increasing every year. 74 entries were received from 36 countries in 2003. The figure has nearly doubled to 130 applicants from some 40 countries this year. This shows that as the concern about the impact of aviation on the environment is growing, the commitment of travel companies to sustainable tourism is getting firm