6. Union Budget 2026-27: \'Turtle Trails\' and Conservation Concerns

The Union Budget\'s proposal to develop \'Turtle Trails\' along key nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala has sparked a debate between promoting eco-tourism and ensuring the non-interference of sensitive wildlife habitats. Summary of Key Developments • Budgetary Initiative: The government has proposed the establishment of \'Turtle Trails\' to boost sustainable eco-tourism, aiming to position India as a global destination for nature enthusiasts. • Geographic Coverage: The project focuses on prominent Olive Ridley nesting grounds, including the Rushikulya and Gahirmatha rookeries in Odisha, as well as several beaches along the Malabar (Kerala) and Konkan (Karnataka) coasts. • Conservationist Skepticism: Experts argue that mass nesting sites, known for the rare phenomenon of Arribada, require absolute tranquility. They fear that light pollution and physical infrastructure from tourism will disorient turtles. • Human Impact vs. Nature: Skeptics point to the \'Chilika model\' where unregulated dolphin tourism has disturbed the Irrawaddy dolphin habitat, cautioning that similar \'anthropogenic pressure\' could ruin turtle breeding patterns. • Alternative Demands: Researchers emphasize that rather than tourism infrastructure, the government should prioritize robust enforcement, such as functional speed boats for monitoring illegal trawling during the mating season.• Strategic Restrictions: Access to sites like Gahirmatha is already restricted due to its proximity to the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, illustrating that security and conservation have historically superseded tourism in these zones. Key Definitions • Arribada: A Spanish term meaning \'arrival by sea,\' referring to the unique mass nesting behavior of Olive Ridley and Kemp\'s Ridley sea turtles where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously. • Anthropogenic Pressure: Environmental stress or degradation caused by human activities, such as construction, waste generation, or artificial lighting. • Turtle Excluder Device (TED): A specialized attachment for fishing nets that allows sea turtles to escape being caught as bycatch. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Olive Ridley turtles are listed under Schedule I, granting them the highest degree of legal protection. Harming them or their eggs carries severe penalties. • Article 48A: A Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) that mandates the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the wildlife of the country. • Article 51A(g): A Fundamental Duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. • National Marine Turtle Action Plan (2021-2026): A policy framework by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) focusing on habitat protection and community-led conservation. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper III: Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation; Environmental impact assessment. • GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. • Prelims Focus: Location of Gahirmatha and Rushikulya; IUCN status (Vulnerable); the role of the Indian Coast Guard\'s \'Operation Olivia\'. Conclusion The \'Turtle Trail\' initiative represents the complex challenge of balancing livelihood generation through ecotourism with the ecological necessity of \'no-go\' zones. While the intent is to foster environmental awareness, the biological sensitivity of Olive Ridleys—who are highly susceptible to light and sound—means that any development must be secondary to scientific conservation. For the project to succeed, it must transition from a \'tourism trail\' to a \'conservation trail,\' where local communities are engaged as \'Turtle Guardians\' rather than just tour operators.