India, Feb. 20 -- The Captain of Ports stated that maintenance dredging at the mouth of the River Chapora was carried out more than 1,000 metres away from the turtle nesting sites at Morjim and Mandrem beaches and in full compliance with environmental safeguards.

In an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone, Captain of Ports Octavio Antony Rodrigues said the dredging work did not disturb any notified turtle nesting habitats. He maintained that dredging was confined strictly to the designated navigation channel, balancing ecological considerations with navigational safety and public interest.

He pointed out that the Forest Department had earmarked an area extending approximately 600 metres from Morjim beac...