National Marine Parks

Abstract

There is an immediate necessity for the conservation of marine flora and fauna in the islands of Gulf of Mannar. The situation as it is to-day needs the establishment of a National Marine Park in the area. 20 islands surveyed during the years 1977-81 have revealed the extensive destruction of fauna and flora by human interference. The island system is unique in that it serves as a habitat for many endangered species like the marine turtles, the dugong, the ptychoderan Bakmoglossus. Extensive destruction of the fringing coral reefs around islands has been noticed and it is imperative that this destruction should be totally stopped. The paper outlines measures for the establishment of a viable National Marine Park system in this area and also indicates the need for a national policy for establishing Marine Parks elsewhere along our coast.