The site of the proposed Dhamra port project is located on the eastern Indian coast of Orissa, north of the River Dhamra and is about 13 km away from the Nasi group of islands, the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and the Bhitarkanika National Park. How diligent are the

Here the author presents his experience and observations of the debate over the construction of the port at Dhamra, and IUCN

India hosts major aggregations of turtles, especially olive ridleys. The present debate over the construction of a port at Dhamra and other ports along the Orissa coast is part of long-standing controversy about turtles in this region.

The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) in Orissa, India, has requested the advice of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to mitigate the impact of the port's development on the Olive Ridley Turtles. In fulfilling that role, IUCN has been receiving enquiries and questions about its overall involvement in the project. This brief clarifies the nature and extent of IUCN's role.