Previous Year Question

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is an important Marine Protected Area located along the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India. It extends across the Gulf of Mannar between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi. The Government of Tamil Nadu declared it a Marine National Park in 1986. It covers an area of approximately 560 square kilometres, comprising 21 small islands and their surrounding shallow marine waters. Its primary objective is to conserve Coral Reefs, marine vegetation, rare aquatic organisms, and coastal ecosystems.

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve was established by the Government of India in 1989. It covers approximately 10,500 square kilometres, with the Marine National Park forming its Core Area. The 21 islands of the National Park are divided into four major groups—Mandapam, Keelakarai, Vembar, and Thoothukudi. The region contains diverse natural habitats, including Coral Reefs, Seagrass Meadows, Mangrove Forests, Seaweeds, Estuaries, and Mudflats.

The Gulf of Mannar is one of India's major regions of Marine Biodiversity. It supports Dugongs (Dugong dugon), Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Seahorses, Pearl Oysters, and numerous species of fish and corals. The Dugong is a Herbivorous Marine Mammal that depends primarily on Seagrass. Coral Reefs provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for marine organisms. Seagrass Meadows play important roles in Blue Carbon Storage, sediment stabilization, and the conservation of marine species. Water pollution, Overfishing, Coral Bleaching, and coastal development are major threats to the biodiversity of this region.

Among the other protected areas, Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. It is famous for its Mangrove Forests and Saltwater Crocodiles. Sundarbans National Park is situated in the mangrove region of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta in West Bengal and is an important habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger. It was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1987. Gahirmatha, located in Odisha, is a Marine Wildlife Sanctuary notified in 1997. It is famous for the Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Gahirmatha is classified as a Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, whereas the Gulf of Mannar is classified as a Marine National Park.