CHENNAI: A Private beach party has been reportedly organised at Injambakkam on the East Coast Road, ignoring the ecological sensitivity and ongoing turtle conservation efforts, as Olive Ridley turtles’ nesting season is at its peak.The Olive Ridley turtle is one of the five varieties of sea turtles found in the Indian waters. They are listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the red list of threatened species maintained by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are also protected under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The proposed beach party titled ‘Spoken Wave’ is a 12-hour music festival scheduled on February 24 from 3 pm to 3 am. It is being widely publicised on social media and details are put out in the Squiry website, which is the ticketing partner, saying that the event is happening at the five-acre beach front of the VGP Golden Beach Resorts with an expected turnout of 3,000 guests. The event would host 15 live bands, 10 stand-up comedies, 10 theatre acts, 5 art installations and food stalls, besides offering adventure sports. The tickets are being sold between `1,000 and `2,500.
The development has shocked the members of the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) and Tree Foundation, the two organisations that are passionately involved in turtle conservation along the Chennai coast for several years. Shravan Krishnan of the SSTCN has officially written to K Geethanjali, Wildlife Warden, Guindy National Park, asking how such an event is permitted.
Geethanjali clarified to Express that the Forest department had not given any permission and it would be illegal to hold the party on the beach, which is a public space. “I will send a team and ensure that the event doesn’t violate norms,” she said. Supraja Dharini, founder of the TREE Foundation, which has a hatchery in Injambakkam, said the stretch of beach where the event is proposed is frequented by turtles every season.
“My team found two nests even on Monday,” she said. Supraja met the management of VGP Golden Beach Resorts and sought clarification on Monday. “I have met the top management and they assured that no event would be permitted on the beach and pledged their support for the turtle conservation,” she said.
S Sridhar, general manager, VGP Golden Beach Resorts, told Express that only beach lawn space was allowed to be used for ‘Spoken Wave’, not the beach. “We have given our space for the event free of cost since we were told that it was a fund-raiser event. We only maintain the beach for the benefit of our customers and tourists. We don’t own the beach. The organisers of the event are meeting us on Tuesday and a decision will be taken on whether to allow the event or not,” he said.
Shravan, also attached to SSTCN, noted that this was the crucial time and the first batch of hatchlings were due to walk out. Turtles get attracted to artificial lights and it will be disastrous to hold a beach party that goes till 3 am. “Let the event be organised on a non-nesting beach or let them wind up the festival by 9 am. Having the party till 3 am on a turtle nesting ground should not be allowed,” he said.
When contacted, Nimisha Sara Philip, founder of Spoken Wave, told Express that the event was being organised to support a social cause. “The funds raised from the event will be used to build libraries in orphanages around the city and create awareness about mental health issues. The event will be organised within the private property of VGP Golden Beach Resorts and only lanterns will be used which will not affect the turtle movement.”After the controversy broke out, rapper and singer Sofia Arshraf, who was scheduled to perform, has withdrawn himself in support of turtle conservation.