1. Action for Food Programme: www.afpro.org
2. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore: www.atree.org
3. Green Life Rural Association:
Members of the Green Life Rural Association were actively involved in the sea turtle
research project of Wildlife Institute of India from 1993-1999 carried out on the Orissa coast.
Many of the members worked as volunteers or as field assistants with the research team of Wildlife
Institute of India. The members have also assisted the Operation Kachhapa program of the Wildlife
Society of Orissa between 2000 to 2004. Based on their association with the above two programs
they have expanded their work towards the development of traditional fish workers. Near about
two hundred fifty traditional fish workers families have been associated as supporting members
of Green Life Rural Association (GLRA). The members of GLRA have gained considerable experience
in sea turtle conservation issues and have a keen interest on fisheries and livelihoods related issues.
Mailing Address : At Gundalaba, Po. Kusumber, Via Astaranga, Dist Puri - 752 109, Orissa
Telephone Number : 09937514061
Jurisdiction : Astarang, Puri District, Orissa
Contact person : Sovakar Behera, President
4. Greenpeace India: http://www.greenpeace.org/india/
5. Maa Ganga Devi Santhi Maitri Yuvak Sangha:
Over the years Rushikulya has emerged as one of the largest sea turtle nesting beaches in India.
However, this area is subjected to severe natural as well as human related disturbances.
A multitude of problems ranging from artificial illumination to extensive beach erosion exist
in this area. The olive ridley and the beach to which they come for en-masse nesting need more
protection and involvement of more agencies not only strengthen the area from conservation point
of view but can also make a stage before the Union Government of India for declaring this area
as Community Reserve. With this concept and with a vision to serve community development,
the Maa Ganga Devi Santhi Maitri Juvak Sangha started functioning in the Purunabandha in 2001.
The MDSMJS has a total membership of 25 and the youth from this NGO mostly involves with the
Operation Kachhapa's conservation programme as well as work in close association with the
Orissa Forest Department. The other social work of this organization includes Nehuru Yuva
Kendra's campaign for clean and green village.
Mailing Address : Purunabandha, PO - Palibandha,Via/Dist - Ganjam - 761 021 (Orissa)
Telephone Number : 09861031901
Total members : ~25
Jurisdiction : Ganjam District, Orissa
Contact person : Budhhimantha Rao, President
6. Peera Jahania Fish Workers' Union:
The Peera Jahania Fish Workers' Union is based in Gundalaba village in Astarang block of Puri district.
It is a union that has been closely involved in safeguarding the rights of the traditional fisherfolk of
Gundalaba. The union has shown keen interest in being involved in sea turtle protection efforts.
Mailing Address : At Gundalaba, Po. Kusumber, Via Astaranga, Dist Puri - 752 109, Orissa
Telephone Number :
Jurisdiction : Ganjam District, Orissa
Contact person : Dharmananda Malik, President
7. Project Swarajya: www.projectswarajya.com
8. Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee:
The Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC) plays a pivotal role in sea turtle conservation
among at the important site of Rushikulya. Some of the truly motivated village boys of Purunabandha
village adjoining the Rushikulya sea turtle rookery have formed a small group and named RSTPC.
The Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee is a non-government non-profit organisation working at
Purunabandha village, Ganjam which is adjacent to the Rushikulya sea turtle rookery functioning since
1998 and registered under the Society Registration Act, 1860. RSTPC has a total membership of 50,
which includes members mostly from the village Purunabandha, and majorities are from fishing communities.
The RSTPC work with technical support from eminent sea turtle scientists' viz. Dr. Bivash Pandav,
Dr. S.K. Dutta, Mr. B. C. Choudhury and Mr. Basudev Tripathy.
Over the year, RSTPC has done some commendable work on the protection and conservation of olive ridley
sea turtles along the Rushikulya rookery of Orissa. Many of these village boys were actively involved
with the Wildlife Institute of India's sea turtle project along the Orissa coast during 1994 - 1999.
With the support of some minimal funds the village boys of Purunabandha are doing some wonderful work
to save sea turtles.
Project undertaken by the RSTPC and supporting agency:
Conservation of olive ridley sea turtles along the Orissa coast - supported by Operation Kachhapa & WSO, Orissa.
Rescue operation for Olive Ridley hatchlings at Rushikulya Rookery - Supported by the Wild Orissa, Bhubaneswar (2003-2004).
Sea turtle and their habitat protection at Rushikulya Rookery - Wildlife Trust of India, New Delhi (Basudev Tripathy,
Investigator of the above project supported through the WTI funding) (2003-2004).
Sea turtle interpretation centre at Rushikulya rookery - Vasant V. Sheth Memorial Trust, Mumbai
(Eastern Shipping Corporation) (2003-2004).
Mailing Address : Purunabandha, PO - Palibandha, Via/Dist - Ganjam - 761 021 (Orissa)
Telephone Number : 06811 - 254148 (O), 09437204384 (m)
Fax Number : 06811-254070 (O)
E-Mail : turtle_rushikulya@yahoo.co.in
Total members : ~ 50
Jurisdiction : Ganjam District, Orissa
9. Sea Turtle Action Programme:
The Sea Turtle Action Programme was started in the mid 90s as a non-government non-profit
organisation and comprises of local youth from the village of Gundalaba, Astarang, Puri district.
STAP has provided critical service to the Forest Department as well as sea turtle researchers in
field research. They have been engaged hatchery creation at Devi. They have also been engaged in
monitoring sea turtle mortality, nesting, fisheries practices and other fisheries related data
collection. In the year 2005 STAP was registered as an NGO.
Mailing Address : STAP, Peerjahania, Gundalba, Astaranga, Puri - 650 129(Orissa)
Telephone Number : 0674-2333254
Total members : ~ 8
Jurisdiction : Puri district, Orissa
Contact person : Bichitrananda Biswal
10. United Artists' Association: www.uaaorissa.org
11. World Wide Fund for Nature: www.wwfindia.org
12. Wild Orissa:
Wild Orissa, an organization registered under the Societies Registration Act as well as the
Income Tax Act, has been actively involved in the conservation of wild life and nature in the
country since 1997. Wild Orissa was set up with an objective to create awareness among the
people and the youth, the importance of conserving nature and the natural environment and
it's bearing on all life and life support systems. This includes participation in activities
towards the improvement of the environment of urban and semi-urban areas, strive towards arresting
the decline of major wildlife forms, to undertake field studies, conduct workshops, set up camps etc.
in an effort to study the status of our wild flora and fauna.
Important activities of Wild Orissa include:
Monitoring of wildlife sanctuaries and national park and other forest and protected areas
Carrying out surveys, studies and research on wild floral and faunal species
Associating and assisting the Government and other organizations in matter related to enumeration of tiger, leopard, elephant etc. during census.
Conducting annual waterfowl/bird census in the state of Orissa and adjoining areas
Undertaking conservation programmes including campaigns for the preservation of species like tiger, elephants, mouse deers, hill mynas, olive ridleys, chowsinghas etc.
Organising inter school competitions in schools etc. on wildlife and nature to inculcate love for our wild heritage.
Create public awareness on issues relating to wild life and their habitat through mass media.
Organizing meetings, symposiums, seminars, workshops etc. to address issues of concern to wildlife.
Ensuring community participation in conservation and preservation of our wild life and their habitats by interacting with and motivating local communities.
Mailing Address : Wild Orissa, BJ-29, Mezzanine Floor, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Telephone Number : 0674 - 512044, 432707
E-mail : wildorissa@hotmail.com
Contact person : Mrs. Monalisa Bhujbal, Secretary
Orissa Traditional Fish Worker's Union
Since 1989, the leaders from the fishing community have worked toward uniting the various marine fishworker groups
across the six districts of Orissa. Finally, in 1995, the 'Orissa Traditional Fishworkers Union (OTFWU)' took birth
with the representation of fisher leaders from all six districts. For better coordination and effective functioning,
the OTFWU formed district level unions and has linked up with 'Samudram', an active federation of women
fishworkers working towards the welfare of fisher women and children since 1992 in the districts of Ganjam and
Puri. Since 1995, the Union in association with the National Fishworkers Forum
has been active along the coast of Orissa and acts as a pressure group to mobilise government
resources for the benefit of traditional fishers. The vision of the OTFWU is to foster harmony,
fraternity and brotherhood among traditional fishworkers, preserve their cultural heritage and
support needy fellows to lead a dignified life with self-reliance along with other communities in Orissa.
The objectives of the OTFWU include:
- Mobilising all traditional fishworkers and bringing them to the fold of OTFWU.
- Promoting unity among traditional fishworkers from the grassroots level to the State level.
- Strengthening affiliated district unions to exert pressure on the district administration and
Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Generating awareness among traditional fishers on education, health and environment.
- Developing capacity of district and state unionleaders to identify common issues and strategise
campaign techniques to address micro and macro issues that affect the lives and livelihoods
of traditional fishers.
- Liaison and network with other like-minded groups and movements to fight for common
causes.
The OTFWU has spearheaded advocacy efforts to ensure that the rights of the traditional fishworkers
are not impacted by turtle conservation measures. They have negotiated on behalf of the traditional
fishworkers with the state government and have petitioned the Supreme Court appointed Central
Empowered Committee on this matter. The OTFWU has also highlighted their experiences on mitigating
the adverse impacts of conservation on the livelihoods of traditional fishworkers to other national
and international forums. At the same time, the OTFWU along with Samudram has expressed it's interest
in being part of turtle conservation measures and is pressing for conservation that does not impact
the traditional sector of fishers.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing Address : OTFWU, At: Sana Aryapali, PO: Bada Aryapali, Via: Ganjam, Orissa,
India, Pin: 761 020
Telephone Number : +91-6811-262286
Fax Number : + 91-6811- 254314
E-Mail : otfwu@hotmail.com
Members Traditional fishworkers from all 6 districts of Orissa.
Area of operation : Orissa
Contact person : K. Aleya, General Secretary, OTWFU
Individual members:
- Dr.B.C.Choudhaury, Scientist WII, Dehradun, Email: bcc@wii.gov.in
- Dr.Bivash Pandav, Scientist WII, Dehradun, Email: pandavb@yahoo.com
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