Apr 24, 2024
Conservation of Marine Species in India
1. What are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and how many has India established?
Answer: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated regions in marine environments where human activities are managed to protect the natural or cultural resources. India has established 130 MPAs across its coastal states and islands to conserve marine species and habitats.
2. What are Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs)?
Answer: ICMBAs are specific sites identified and prioritized for their ecological significance and biodiversity richness. India has identified 106 coastal and marine sites as ICMBAs to enhance the conservation efforts for various marine species.
3. Which marine species have been prioritized for conservation in India?
Answer: India has prioritized several rare and threatened marine species, including all five species of marine turtles, the humpback whale, and the Dugong. These species are under continuous monitoring to assess their population status across the country.
4. What specific conservation effort is being made for Dugongs in India?
Answer: About 450 sq km area in the Palk Bay has been declared as a Dugong Conservation Reserve. This initiative is part of a broader effort to conserve Dugongs and their habitats, particularly seagrass areas, which are crucial for their survival.
5. What is Project Dolphin, and what does it aim to achieve?
Answer: Launched in 2021, Project Dolphin is a government initiative to conserve both oceanic and riverine dolphin species. The project aims to enhance species monitoring and conservation of marine biodiversity, with an extension to include marine dolphins.
6. How does the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 contribute to marine conservation?
Answer: The CRZ Notification, 2019, focuses on the conservation and management of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) such as mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs. It prohibits developmental activities and waste disposal in these fragile coastal ecosystems to protect their biodiversity.
7. What financial assistance does the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change provide for marine conservation?
Answer: The Ministry grants funds under centrally sponsored schemes to maritime states for the conservation of critical habitats like corals and mangroves. Additionally, through the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), funds are allocated for the conservation of species like Dugongs and their habitats.
8. What role does the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) play in marine conservation?
Answer: The CMLRE, an office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is tasked with developing management strategies for marine resources through ecosystem monitoring and modeling. It also implements national R&D programs focused on enhancing the marine living resources and supporting the livelihoods of local communities, such as the fisher folks of Lakshadweep Islands.
9. What guidelines have been released to manage marine megafauna stranding and entanglement?
Answer: In 2021, the 'Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines' were released to outline actions during stranding and entanglement events and to improve coordination among various stakeholders for better management of these incidents.
These FAQs encapsulate India's structured and multifaceted approach to marine species conservation, highlighting the legislative, financial, and practical measures being undertaken to protect marine biodiversity and support sustainable use of marine resources.
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