Threats to Leatherback nesting sites by Andamans project

Context

Conservationists are worried over the fate of some of the most important nesting populations of the Giant Leatherback turtle Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands due to proposals for tourism and port development.

LeatherbackTurtles

• The leatherback sea turtle(Dermochelyscoriacea), is the largest of all living turtles.
• It is found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic.
• Within the Indian Ocean, they nest only in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Conservation Status: They are listed in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • The species is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as

Concerns

• There are concerns over at least three key nesting beaches under-
• NITI Aayog’s ambitious tourism vision for Little Andaman
• A mega-shipment port at Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island