In order to increase the numbers of sea turtles, authorities have decided to reward Rs 5,000 for those who give information about egg laying.

Thane: In order to increase the numbers of sea turtles, authorities have decided to reward Rs 5,000 for those who give information about egg laying.

The Maharashtra forest department and Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association have jointly announced the reward. They have also announced that such persons will be bestowed with 'Kasav Puraskar'.

The announcement was made by officials of Forest department at Dahanu in neighbouring Palghar district in presence of office-bearers of the association on Sunday.

"Sea turtles come for breeding on the seashores of Maharashtra. Local fishermen know about these turtles. They have traditional information about breeding of these turtles," said Dahanu Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nanasaheb Ladkas.

"Since the last eight to ten years, no sea turtle eggs were found in the area. Before that, we used to locate many such eggs in the area," Ladkas added.

According to the DFO, persons who will share information about eggs of sea turtles will be given the reward.

He said sea turtles are included in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and there is a ban to kill them and to snatch their eggs.

Violation of the Act is a criminal offence and attracts a fine of Rs 24,000 and 7 years of imprisonment, the DFO added.