INDIAN CORAL REEF MONITORING NETWORK

Govt. of India Ministry of Environment & Forests

Management Action Plans (MAPs): Activities

Survey and Inventorisation Monitoring and Vigilance Conservation Measures Protection Measures Eco-development Activities: Sustainable livelihood options Education and Awareness: Community Participation Database Development

Conservation & Management Thrust Areas for Research

Survey and Inventorying of Corals and Coral Reef Associates using Remote Sensing & GIS Techniques Studies on Systematics and Taxonomy of Corals Asses Status of Rare , Threatened and Endangered species of Corals and evolve Strategies for their in-situ and ex-situ Conservation Ecosystem Studies, Socioeconomic Studies, identification of threats and measures to mitigate Monitoring Health of Coral Reefs Studies on Biotic Potential, Bio-prospecting and Sustainable Utilization of Coral Reef Resources

Agencies Supporting R & D Activities on Corals

Ministry of Environment & Forests Department of Science and Technology Department of Biotechnology Department of Ocean Development Department of Space Ministry of Agriculture University Grants Commission (UGC) State Departments of Environment, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism

Some of the Institutions involved in R & D Activities on Coral Reefs

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Central Marine Fisheries Research Instt. National Institute of Oceanography Central Agricultural Research Institute Dr.Swaminathan Research Foundation WWF-India CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai Univ. Madurai Kamraj University

ICRMN DATA BASE NETWORK

Coordination : Ministry of Environment

ZSI, Port Blair NIO, Goa GEER Foundation ZSI, MBS, Chennai

A&N Islands : Lakshdweep : Gulf of Kutchh : Gulf of Mannar:

International Initiatives on Coral Reefs in India

UNDP/GEF PDF B Project Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (MSSRF, Chennai )(Concluded) UNDP/GEF Major Project on Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (MSSRF, Chennai) UNDP/ GEF PDF B Project on Coral Reefs of A & N Islands (ZSI, Port Blair) CORDIO Project ( NIO , Goa) GCRMN - Phase I & II MAPs under implementation GCRMN - Phase II Database Network established Socio economic & Biophysical Monitoring Trainings, Demonstration sites for MAPs identified. India Australia Training & Capacity Building (IATCB) Project on Coral Reefs (Operational ) : Taxonomy Training & Visit of Australian Experts to Indian Coral Reefs

Funding of Research on Coral Reefs through Ministry of Environment

Conservation & Survey Division Research & Extension Division Biosphere Reserve Programme Wildlife Division National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) Coastal & Marine Bio-diversity Programme

Conservation & Management of Coral Reefs in India

Identified Gaps in Effective Implementation

Coordination, Communication at Central and State Level Conservation - Development Conflict Policies and Programmes to create Livelihood Options Information Database Network Awareness Conservation Consciousness Political Will and Commitment Legal & Policy Framework Institutional Arrangements Infrastructure for Protection

Gaps in Effective Implementation (Cont.)

Beurocratisation , Redtapism, Corruption Training of Scientists, Managers,Policy Makers, Public, Tourists Policy for transfers and utilization of Trained Manpower

Strategies for Effective Implementation

Establishment of Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network(ICRMN) for Coordination Establishment of a Database Network with stipulated norms for sharing of information and resources Strengthening Legal / Policy Framework Training and Capacity Building for Scientists , Policy Makers and Managers Awareness :Politicians, Public, Students and Tourists

Monitoring Health of Coral Reefs

Extensive Survey of Coral Reef areas to asses extent of degradation and efforts for their regeneration

Status of Coral Reefs In India Threats Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Sedimentation: dredging & logging Sand mining, Erosion Trans -boundary Poaching Tourism: Souvenir Collection, Collection of Ornamental Fishes Pollution Crown - of- Thorns Starfish Bleaching

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Government of India

Scheme on Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs

National Committee on Conservation & Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs Research Sub Committee State Level Steering Committees

Ministry of Environment & Forests Conservation & Management of Coral Reefs: Identified Areas
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gulf of Mannar Lakshdweep Islands Gulf of Kutchh

Govt.of India

Conservation & Management of Coral Reefs: Activities

Development and Implementation of Management Action Plans (MAPs) Promote Research Activities on identified Thrust areas and integrate the findings with MAPs Policy formulation and Monitoring progress Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Status of Coral Reefs in India Threats Lakshdweep Islands:

Coral mining Sedimentation Destruction due to Dredging Sewage Pollution Bleaching

Status of Coral Reefs in India Threats Gulf of Kutchh:

Coral mining , Sand mining Sedimentation , Dredging Mangrove damage Commercial Shell Collection and Over Fishing Industrial Development Population Pressure , Pollution

Status of Coral Reefs in India Threats Gulf of Mannar:

Coral mining, Sand mining Sedimentation Mangrove cutting Fisheries Industrial Development Population pressure Pollution

ICRMN ACTIVITIES
Development and Implementation of Monitoring Action Plans (MAPs) Promote Multidisciplinary Research
Training and Capacity Building for Monitoring Health of Coral Reefs

Establishment of Database Network

INDIAN CORAL REEF MONITORING NETWORK (ICRMN)

Govt. of India Ministry of Environment & Forests CS Division

Andaman & Nicobar Administration Deptt. of Environment & Forests

Lakshadweep Administration Deptt. of Environment & Forests

Govt.of Tamil Nadu Deptt. of Environment & Forests

Govt. of Gujrat Deptt. of Environment & Forests

A & N Coral Reefs

Lakshdweep Coral Reefs

Gulf of Mannar Coral Reefs

Gulf of Kutchh Coral Reefs

Zoological Survey of India Port Blair

National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa

Zoological Survey of India Marine Biological Station Chennai

Gujrat Ecology Commission & National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa

Species Diversity of Corals in India

Locality Genera Andaman Islands 31 Nicobar Islands 43 Lakshdweep Islands 37 Gulf of Kutchh 24 Gulf of Mannar 36 Total 37

Species 82 103 103 37 96 199

Source: Pillai, G (1996)

Area Estimates of Coral Reefs in India (Sq Km)

Category Gujrat Reef flat 148.4 Tamilnadu 64.9 12.0 A&N Islands 136.5 7.3 230.9 43.3 Lakshdweep Islands 795.7 73.3 8.4 45.0 -

Sand Over 11.8 Reef Mud Over 117.1 Reef Coraline Shelf Live Coral -

National Initiatives on Coral Reefs in India

Establishment of Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network (ICRMN) Establishment of National Coral Reef Research Institute at Port Blair Inclusion of Corals in Schedule II of Wild Life (Protection ) Act,1972 Reconstitution of National Committee on Mangroves & Coral Reefs Establishment of Database Network & Website on Coral Reefs Training & Capacity Building

International Initiatives on Coral Reefs in India

National Focal Point of GCRMN National Focal Point of ICRI India Australia Training & Capacity Building Project (IATCB) on Coral Reefs CORDIO (Under consideration) UNDP/GEF Projects on Gulf of Mannar and Andaman & Nicobar Coral Reefs Inclusion of Gulf of Mannar in World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO

Recent Publications on Coral Reefs in India

Status Reports : National, Andamans, Gulf of Mannr, Gulf of Kutchh and Lakshadweep ( 9 ICRS, Bali , 2000) Status of Coral Reefs in India (CAS) Bibliography on Coral Reefs (CAS) Coral Reef Atlas of India (SAC) 101 Questions on Coral Reefs (NIO/ICRM N) Posters & Literature on Coral Reefs for Public Awareness Gazette Notification for inclusion of Corals in Schedule 2 of Wild Life(Protection) Act,1972

Proposed Activities

National Policy on Conservation and Management of Coral Reefs in India Status of Coral Reefs in India Training & Capacity Building w.s.r. to Marine Protected Area Network (MPA) Designation of Andamans , Lakshadweep & Gulf of Kutchh as Biosphere Reserves Strengthening of Database Network & Website on Coral Reefs Hand book & CD on Coral Reefs of India Identification Manual on Corals of India