India has designated sections of its oceans and estuaries as marine protected areas, where local wildlife can be preserved. These zones' abundant biodiversity aids local and national governments in making significant income from marketing and tourism. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu's Gulf of Munnar, Maharashtra's Thane Creek, West Bengal's Sundarbans, etc. are a few instances of marine protected areas in India.
The marine diversity of India has been identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the top twenty biodiversities worldwide. As a result, stringent regulations have been enacted to protect wildlife in national parks and marine water bodies spread across nine states and all of the nation's union territories.
There are a total of 31 marine protected areas in India when taking into account the national parks along the coastlines of the peninsular Indian subcontinent as well as the sanctuaries in the islands and Union Territories.
According to the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the Bureau of the Interior Department monitors human interference with marine life in four key national parks.
The first is Bhitarkanika National Park, which has received recognition on a global scale as one of the few wetlands in the world with a diverse population of ducks. Along with the endangered saltwater crocodiles, Asian water monitors, King Cobras, Chital deer, and black-coloured Ibis also find refuge in this forest block. This swampy region is separated from the Bay of Bengal by the Gahirmatha coastline.
The second is the Sundarbans in West Bengal, another mangrove forest. A portion of this extensive mangrove forest is located along the Hooghly River's bank, even though the majority of this deltaic region is administratively part of Bangladesh. The marine protection department is in charge of overseeing the ecoregion of mangrove forests where a few critically endangered species, like the Bengal tiger, reside.
The third is the Gulf of Mannar Marine Conservation, which spans 21 uninhabited islands across 10 square kilometres and is located in Tamil Nadu. An endangered class of creatures known as dugongs call this national park home. Humpback whales, green turtles, and the well-known clownfish are some examples of other exotic wildlife.
Fourth is the Gulf of Kachchh, which is located in Gujarat's southern region on the western frontier. Numerous varieties of corals are among the diverse flora, and numerous birds soar above the well-known Jamnagar coastline region. The area's coral reefs are home to numerous species of jellyfish, prawns, and crabs.
There are several well-known marine sanctuaries in the nation, including Chorao Island in Goa, Chilka in Odisha, Malvan Sanctuary and Thane Creek Sanctuary in Maharashtra, and Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh. In addition to maritime conservation, bird enthusiasts will love Chorao Island. The oasis is home to a variety of unusual birds in addition to the ordinary kingfisher, including the white sea eagle, Grey Plover, Pintail, and Indian Pond Herons. Tourists board ships leaving for the island from Old Goa.
In the weedy Nalbana Sanctuary, which surrounds Chilka Lake, thousands of different bird species can be found. It covers roughly 6 square miles. Some of the seasonal birds that are noted in great numbers in the shallow waters of Chilka are Short-legged Flamingos from Iran, Spot-billed Pelicans, Peregrine Falcons, Goliath Herons, and Black-headed Ibis. In the monsoon, the island submerges.
Perennial wildlife is on display at the Malvan Sanctuary in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The corals, pearl oysters, and mollusks all call this mangrove reserve home. One of Maharashtra's lush coastline regions is home to the Thane Creek Sanctuary. Between December and May, it is one of the state's less visited regions where flamingos can be seen. This marine sanctuary covers a distance of over 18 kilometres from the Sewri jetty to the Elephanta Caves.
The Tirupati area of Andhra Pradesh is home to Lake Pulikat. After Chilka, it is the second-largest brackish water body in the nation. Numerous kinds of waterfowl, including the bar-headed geese, Eurasian wigeon, whiskered tern, garganey, etc., are drawn to the three significant wetlands in this area. In addition to its extensive biodiversity, this marine reserve features 59 distinct species of aquatic plants.
Numerous protected zones exist in the union territories of Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to conserve marine life. The Andaman and Nicobar regions contain more than a hundred islands that are swampy and home to a profusion of aquatic mammals, reptiles, arthropods, and birds.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has been successful in lowering human impregnation in these marine areas for the past few decades. As a result, they are dedicated to protecting the Indian coastal region's natural riches.
Conclusion
There is a wide diversity of species in India's marine protected areas, which draws tourists from around the world. The Wildlife Conservation Society has worked hard to protect marine biodiversity ever since the 1972 passage of the Wildlife Protection Act. Large sections are still unprotected. The animals that make our country proud and are a vital part of our rich heritage must be protected, and we Indians must make a commitment to doing so.
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