TURTLES are under great threat of extinction as they are badly affected by the drainage and pipe system of the coastal areas. Turtles are very beneficial for sea environment as they help marine ecology. They help to maintain healthy sea-grass beds and coralreefs,provides habitat to other marine food webs. Thus, any attempt to remove turtles in the sea will negatively impact on the marine ecosystem.

Thus, on the International Coastal Clean-up Week, government of ficials, civil society representatives and students took part in cleaning the beach at Sandspit. As far as technical advisers are concerned, the Sandspit is a rich habitat for green turtles provided the site is safe and secure.

It is an area where more than 3,000 turtles nest and reside. But, unfortunately, the beach is suf fering from encroachments of plastic litters, glass,leather, etc, that interferes with the turtles` nesting cycle.

According to a technical adviser, Karachi generates about 12,000 tonnes of solid waste a day, most of which goes into the sea through drains and rivers.

Hence the need for government measures to protect beaches and create among the people awareness on the rationale use of plastic.

Fatima A. Ghafoor Absor