November 3. “Button, fishing has been banned in Orissa for 7 months!”

“Really? But why? How will fishermen survive?”

“Remember me telling you earlier (around the same time last year) how the launch of Agni II had been postponed because it was nesting time for olive ridleys?”

“I remember. Don’t tell me that fishing has been banned because of this!”

“This is the sole reason. These turtles are endangered species and this ban is only to save them.”

“Don’t you think it is extremely unfair to fishermen whose sole livelihood is fishing and who do no harm to the turtles?”

“I agree with you but the ban has been imposed only along the 20 km stretch of Dhamra- Barunei mouth within Gahirmatha marine sanctuary and not elsewhere.”

“I still feel it is very wrong to snatch someone’s livelihood. This gives rise to crime.”