Marine Protected Areas in India

Marine protected areas in India are specific regions of oceans and estuaries that are maintained for the conservation of indigenous wildlife. The rich biodiversity in these zones helps the local and national authorities garner huge profits through marketing and tourism. A few examples of marine protected areas in India are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Munnar in Tamil Nadu, Thane creek in Maharashtra, Sundarbans in West Bengal, etc.

Marine Protected Areas in India

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has spotted the marine diversity of India as one of the leading twenty biodiversities all across the globe. Thus, strict provisions have been adopted to safeguard the wildlife in national parks and marine water bodies across 9 states and all the Union Territories of the country.

How many marine protected areas are in India?

Considering both the national parks along the coastlines of the peninsular Indian subcontinent as well as the sanctuaries in the islands and Union Territories there are altogether 31 marine protected areas in India.

Let us briefly discuss a few of the Marine Protected Areas in India:

There are four significant national parks where the Bureau of the Interior Department checks human interference in marine life as per the terms of 1972’s Wildlife Protection Act.

• The first one is Bhitarkanika National Park which has achieved international accreditation as one of the world’s limited wetlands with a rich waterfowl population. Apart from the imperiled saltwater crocodiles, this forest block gives shelter to Asian water monitors, King Cobra, Chital deer, and black colored Ibis as well. The Gahirmatha coastline separates this swampy area from the Bay of Bengal.
• Next comes another mangrove forest – the Sundarbans in West Bengal. Though most of this deltaic region lies within the administrative realm of Bangladesh, a part of this dense mangrove forest is situated along the bank of the Hooghly River. The eco sub-region of mangrove forests inhabited by a few endangered mammals like the Bengal tiger falls under the supervision of marine protection. 
• In Tamil Nadu, we come across the Gulf of Mannar Marine Conservation which covers 21 natural islands throughout 10 sq. km. This national park is the home of Dugongs, a class of endangered mammals. Other exotic fauna includes the popular clownfish, green turtles, and humpback whales. 
• In the western frontier, there is the Gulf of Kachchh in the southern part of Gujarat. The rich collection of fauna includes numerous species of corals; many birds fly along the famous Jamnagar coastal area. Several species of jellyfishes, prawns, and crabs inhabit the coral reefs of the region.

Some notable marine sanctuaries of the country include Chorao Island in Goa, Chilka in Odisha, Malvan Sanctuary and Thane Creek Sanctuary of Maharashtra, and Pulicat Lake of Andhra Pradesh. Apart from marine conservation, Chorao Island is a great destination for bird watchers. Besides the common Kingfisher, other unfamiliar species like the white sea eagle, Grey Plover, Pintail, and Indian pond Herons populate the oasis. Tourists board ferries heading towards the island from Old Goa. 

Nalbana Sanctuary surrounding Chilka Lake is a weedy home for thousands of species of different birds. It spans an area of about 6 sq. miles. Short-legged Flamingos from Iran, Spot-billed Pelican, Peregrine Falcon, Goliath Heron, and Black-headed Ibis are some of the seasonal birds that are cited in large quantities in the shallow waters of Chilka. The island goes underwater in the monsoon. 

Malvan Sanctuary in Sindhudurg of Maharashtra exhibits perennial fauna. This mangrove sanctuary is home to the Mollusks, Pearl oysters, and Corals. The Thane Creek sanctuary is situated in one of the fertile coastal regions in Maharashtra. It is one of the less discovered areas of the state where one can spot Flamingos between December and May. This marine sanctuary stretches from the Sewri jetty to the Elephanta Caves and covers a length of almost 18 km.

 Lake Pulikat is situated in the Tirupati region of Andhra Pradesh. It is the second-largest brack water in the country after Chilka. The three important wetlands of this place attract various species of waterfowl such as bar-headed goose, Eurasian wigeon, whiskered tern, garganey, etc. Apart from this rich collection of fauna this marine sanctuary also exhibits 59 different aquatic vegetation species. 

The union territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands also feature numerous protected areas to safeguard marine life. There are more than a hundred islands within the Andaman and Nicobar territory that are swampy with a profuse cluster of aquatic mammals, reptiles, arthropods, and birds. 

The Wildlife Conservation Society has been able to reduce the impregnation of humans in these marine areas for the last couple of decades. Thus, they are committed to securing the natural resources of coastal India.

Conclusion

The Marine Protected Areas in India feature a rich variety of wildlife that attracts visitors from different nations. After the Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972, the Wildlife Conservation Society has put extensive efforts to preserve marine biodiversity. Still, large areas remain unprotected. We Indians must commit ourselves to the act of protecting the animals that bring pride to our nation and are part of our profound heritage.