sights of turtles dying en masse. Bloated bodies of these delicate animals are strewn along the beach as vigil and watch to curb the trespassing fishing trawls has slackened considerably.

Animal rights activists had squarely blamed the forest department for the turtle death and had described it as 'criminal negligence' on part of the department in not paying emphasis on patrol operation.

The operation to ward of trawlers' intrusion to ensure undisturbed breeding of turtle species has come to a grinding halt, admitted an official in Rajnagar mangrove forest division.

The official added that turtle protection measures are encountering the worst crisis in recent memory with the ground level forest guards and temporary staffs feeling scared and unsafe to counter the armed
fishermen. Besides, severe cold wave has led to the discontinuation of the patrolling since past 10 days.

The Kendrapara district administration has been apprised of the gravity of the situation. Immediate help in form of dispatching at least four more sections of APR and OSAP to Gahirmatha has been placed before the District Collector and Superintendent of Police.

"We have also made the request for requisitioning the Magistrates for the purpose to accord sanction to shoot-at-the-sight in the event of exigencies," officials said.

Around 50 forest personnel besides a section of armed police contingent is inadequate. It's no match to the belligerent fishermen boarding high-speed motorised boats. Not only are they heavily armed but also they are seething in vengeance after the last year's shootout-induced death of a fisherman.

Thus it's always a risky proposition to send the patrol squad to the battle zone. There is every likelihood of possible encounter and the forest department is in no position to ensure the safety of patrolling personnel in vast expanse of seawaters, officials confided.

Even as reports of illegal trawl fishing and net entanglement-induced mortality of turtles pour in various quarters, order may not be restored unless armed police accompanies and assists the forest personnel.