Macro Flora & Fauna of the Gulf of Mannar a checklist

Gopalakrishnan, A and Divya, P R and Basheer, V S and Raja Swaminathan, T and Kathirvelpandian, A and Bineesh, K K and Kumar, Rahul G and Jena, J K (2012) Macro Flora & Fauna of the Gulf of Mannar a checklist. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Kochi. ISBN 978-81-905540-8-4

Preview

Text AGKN et al., 2012 Gulf of Mannar - NBFGR.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The Gulf of Mannar (GoM) located along the south eastern tip of India falls in the Indo-Pacific realm and is one of the richest regions in the world from a marine biodiversity perspective. The region has a distinctive socio-economic and cultural profile shaped by its geography. It has an ancient maritime history and was famous for the production of pearls, an important item in trade with the Roman Empire as early as the first century AD. Rameshwaram along the GoM with its links to the legend Ramayana is an important pilgrim centre. The region has been and continues to be famous for its production of Indian sacred chanks. It has unique ecosystems mainly consisting of coral reefs, sea grass beds, salt marshes and mangroves which constitute important habitats for many species of commercially important finfishes and shellfishes. The GoM was established as a Biosphere Reserve (the first marine biosphere reserve in south and south east Asia) by 1989 by the Indian Government and the state of Tamil Nadu. A biosphere reserve is an area that is indented to secure the fundamental diversity of life in a region while continuing to advocate in economic growth. The overall objective of this Marine Biosphere Reserve is to conserve the Gulf of Mannar's globally significant assemblage of coastal and marine biodiversity and to integrate biodiversity conservation into coastal zone management plans. Thus, the GoM in addition to being a national priority also assumes global significance.

Actions (login required)

View Item