#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia
MAB
GULF OF MANNAR, INDIA – MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in South and
Southeast Asia regions, is one of India’s biologically richest coastal regions. The
Reserve stretches for 180km along the coast of the Gulf of Mannar in Southern India
and encompasses 21 small islands. The area is home to 3,600 species of plants and
animals and is endowed with a combination of different ecosystems including
mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Forty villages dot the coastline opposite
the Reserve. Most of the 50,000 people inhabiting these villages are directly
dependent on fishing, seaweed collecting, or other coastal activities for their
livelihoods. Significant elements of the Gulf of Mannar are the extensive and diverse
seagrass beds, which are some of the largest remaining feeding grounds for the
globally endangered dugong and 5 species of marine turtles; Green, Loggerhead,
Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Leatherback. The Gulf's seagrass communities are
valuable habitats for commercially harvested species, particularly the green tiger
prawn, sea cucumbers, and several species of seaweeds. The Gulf of Mannar also
has 117 species of coral belonging to 7 genera and 17 different mangrove species,
one of which is endemic to the area.
In 2002 the UNDP, in association with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), financed
an initiative in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve aimed at strengthening the
capacity of local communities, particularly women, for managing the coastal
ecosystem and wildlife resources. The project will demonstrate new approaches to
the integration of conservation, sustainable coastal zone management and livelihood
creation through an innovative institutional and financial mechanism.
Ecological Monitoring: Many Indian research and development institutions, including
the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Oceanography,
and Madras University, have on-going research and monitoring programs in the Gulf.
Research focuses on climate change, coral mining, pollution, bio-prospecting, and
threatened species. Long-term monitoring of fisheries and of marine flora and fauna
has contributed to the development of an integrated ecosystem management model
for sustainable resource harvest.
Socio-economic Monitoring: No details were provided.
Coral reefs are 50% of the natural resources.
Ecological Monitoring is effective.
Socio-economic Monitoring is unknown.
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