Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
659, 5th A Main Road, Hebbal, Bangalore 560024. India
Email: kartik@atree.org
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter, which will serve as a forum for discussing issues regarding the conservation and management of sea turtles and their habitats in South and Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. The newsletter aims to disseminate information in a timely manner about sea turtles and their habitats to government departments and other concerned government agencies, voluntary organizations, NGOs, fisherfolk associations, community groups, universities and students as well as other institutions and individuals involved with the conservation and management of sea turtles and their habitats. It will provide a mechanism through which awareness about the status of sea turtles and their habitats can be disseminated to a wide audience, and will be a medium to communicate with the international community (researchers, conservation organisations and other interested parties) about sea turtle related activity in the region.
The first issue has a focus on sea turtle conservation in Orissa on the east coast of India. In this issue, we review legislation related to sea turtle conservation in Orissa and evaluate its efficacy. We also present the views and perspectives of various stakeholders including traditional and mechanised fisherfolk on sea turtle conservation measures in Orissa. The issue includes profiles of various non government organisations working in Orissa on fisheries and on sea turtle conservation. Finally the issue includes a bibliography of literature on sea turtles in Orissa.
In forthcoming issues, we intend to focus on other parts of India and South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean islands. In keeping with our philosophy of open access, the newsletter will be distributed free to subscribers and will also be available online.
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