WWF-India's efforts over the years

1997-1999: WWF-India conducted a Study of Coastal Biodiversity in West Coast between Mumbai and Goa. Surveys identified important coastal and mangrove habitats and turtle nesting sites.

1997-1999: WWF-India also conducted a survey of conservation and management of Olive Ridley turtles nesting sites in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Besides, there are number of activities which focussed on coastal and marine habitats which used turtles as flagship species.

1998:Orissa high court judgement in case of WWF-India versus State of Orissa: the Honourable court ordered that all fishing trawlers be equipped with Turtle excluder devices to avoid turtles being caught in fishing nets. Following are the key elements of the judgement

• High Court suggested a high level committee for protection, conservation and search on sea turtles be set-up.
• Precautionary measures to be taken in respect of mangroves in the Mahanadi estuarine system.
• Maximum number of mechanised vessels not more than 50 and traditional crafts not more than 300.

1998: WWF-India's campaign against plastic waste in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has used marine turtles to raise awareness on the hazardous of plastic waste. This campaign led to the issue of a gazette notification by the Administration regulating the use of recycled plastics in the islands.

Status surveys and studies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have recorded 4 sea turtles of which India's best nesting beaches for three species, the Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill sea turtles are found in the islands. Currently all the best viable nesting sites are either in tribal reserves or in uninhabited islands.1999: Field investigations of 10 protected areas (PAs) of A&N Islands.

Documentation of biological resources of 10 PAs, in-depth study of the poaching pressures operating on the Islands has been done. The PAs covered in this project include the two marine national parks in the Islands and other PAs that cover coastal habitats including turtle nesting sites.