The batch of 2006 has gone to sea. Hopefully, many of the Olive Ridley hatchlings will brave the odds and return as splendid turtles to continue their cycle of life on Orissa’s beaches.

Moves to protect the Olive Ridley Turtles, their breeding and nesting grounds have led to mounting conflicts involving fishing communities, government departments and conservationists, principally because these turtles’ breeding habitat in the river mouths also happen to be the richest fishing grounds of Orissa. Each year debates are refueled as dead carcasses start getting washed ashore. While it is clear that bottom trawl nets used by fishing vessels is one of the main reason for turtle mortality on this shore, in recent times even traditional fishing has come under scrutiny. And with that have risen questions about their livelihood.

THE RIGHT TO SURVIVE – Turtle Conservation and Fisheries Livelihoods takes an intense look at turtle conservation and the protection of the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities. It offers insights into the dilemmas facing the various stakeholders, and attempts to find solutions to save both Orissa’s turtles and its traditional fishing community.