Endangered Sea Turtles- Conservation and Management

About the Book Out of 7 species of Sea turtles are present in the world, only 5 species are represented in India with a shore line of 7500 km only 2 species are present in Andhra Pradesh coast of 960 km in length. The two species are the Olive Ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, common to all the coasts in India and the Green turtle, Chelonia mydas, sporadic visits in Indian coast. All the 7 species of Sea turtles are endangered. Even though the Olive Ridley is most common in Indian. Ocean and worst victim of human depredation.

The population of Sea turtles has dwindled because of their exploitation at alarming rates even though their life span is more than 100 years. Their commercially valuable carapace (outer shell), eggs, meat, calippee (soup) and oil made them vulnerable. But with their protection under Indian wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 and amended in 1991 and special projects and rookeries and launched for their conservation and management enabled to protect them.

The monograph introduces the types of 7 species of Sea turtles in the world, their classification as per the structure and carapace; their habits, biology, breeding, Nesting behavior, eggs and incubation, Hatchlings, Predators, Threats, Extension programmers, Economic Importance, Status and distribution, Conservation and management of the sea turtles and steps taken for their protection throughout the world and are presented in different chapters.

About the Author Madireddi V. Subba Rao got his M.Sc. Ist Rank in from Agra University, Agra in 1968, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. He Post-Doctoral research fellow at Creedmoor Hospital, Queens, New U.S.A. in 1969 and D.Sc. Lanka) 1997. He Visiting Professor in confessor Biology, Hofstra University. Hempstead, York, U.S.A. (1969). He Professor Head the Sciences, Andhra Environment University. Visakhapatnam, Now he is President in Environmental Research Academy (EnRA) International.

He had published and papers Indian and international Journals. 33 Ph.D.'s and 12 M.Phil. Degrees his able guidance date. He had successfully completed 14 major research projects sanctioned by UGC, CSIR, World Done. He wrote 14 books. He is the Member, SSC/Crocodile Specialist Group, Geneva and also Member in CBSG (IUCN). He is a Hon. Life member in Sea Society, Florida, USA.

recognition of his achievements in contemporary research, Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi awarded him Best Scientist for the year 1986 and decorated him with Medal and 1991 the Andhra University recognized research talents of Prof. Rao and awarded him a Best Research Scientist and ISEAS, Bangalore with Gold Medal in 1997, American Biographical Research Inc., USA has nominated him International Distinguished Leader in 1996, 1997. His name was placed Asia's Who's Who, Man of Achievement, 1996, 1997, 2000. He was awarded gold medal for best Zoologist by ZSI 2004 and by AZRA 2009. He is a Peer committee member NAAC.

Dr. Rao was working group member Eastern and Western Ghats Research Projects, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. India, New Delhi and Member (Environment) in UGC, New Delhi. He is Consultant for Environment Impact Assessment, NTPC, Vamsadhara, YRP, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, NFCL, GFCL, Spectrum, Kakinada Sea Ports Ltd.

Preface Sea turtles are integral part of the ecosystem. They are also significant, culturally and economically and valuable resources for people throughout the world.

Sea turtles are marine, air breathing Chelonians, reptiles that have lived on the oceans of the world for over hundred million years. They have hard shell and paddle like flippers for swimming.

According to Hindu mythology, they are "Kurmavatara" which are incarnation of Lord Vinshu. The seven species of the endangered sea turtles has received attentions from all parts of the world, including countries, large and small, rich and poor and many states around the ocean. On the list, these endangered sea turtles in top priority for the conservation by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and SSC (Species Survival Commission).

The sea turtles are properly conserved and husbanded could be an invaluable source of food for the growing population in a hungry world. Now-a days, the demand for sea turtles meat, oil, skin, calipee (soup) and the carapace (shell) has reached enormous proportion, resulting threatening of these valuable endangered sea turtles.

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