Sunken cargo ship MV Black Rose threatens turtles and marine animals

[Guest guest]

Dear All

 

That the mass breeding of India's endangered Olive Ridley turtles could be under

threat by iron ore and oil carried in a cargo ship that capsized off India's

east coast.

 

The vessel, operating under a Mongolian flag capsized off the harbor area of

Paradip port in Orissa. The vessel was carrying about 25,000 tonnes of powdery

iron ore fines and more than 900 tonnes of fuel oil but none had been spilled so

far.

 

The site is close to the Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary, home to almost half a

million sea turtles in winter.

 

Port authorities said they had taken all necessary steps to prevent spillage. Mr

Biplav Kumar the port's deputy chairman said that " Certainly it will affect

marine life if the oil spills. We are keeping close watch. We are taking steps

to prevent pollution.â€

 

The turtles could be threatened if their food supply was contaminated and the

materials in the disaster-hit ship can cause irrevocable harm to the sea

turtles' habitat once they spill out.

 

The area is one of the world's few remaining mass nesting sites for Olive Ridley

turtles. The turtles come to its beaches for breeding every year around

September.

 

Kailash Ch Maharana

Maitri Club

Ganjam

 

 

See the Web & #39;s breaking stories, chosen by people like you. Check out

Buzz. http://in.buzz./