Marine Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas is defined as “any area of intertidal or sub tidal terrain together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment” [Resolution 17.38 of the IUCN General Assembly, 1988, reaffirmed in Resolution 19.46 (1994)].
MPAs in India comprise of Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. These MPAs cover coastal wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, seagrasses beds and other biologically active resources. All the MPAs in the country are notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Marine Protected Areas in Gujarat:
Among the various coastal states of India, Gujarat has the longest coastline and is endowed with a variety of floral and faunal resources. The southern coast of Gulf of Kachchh in particular, boasts of a range of coastal and marine life; and realizing the importance of this zone, the State Government has declared some part of this coast as Marine Sanctuary in 1980. In 1982, the area under marine sanctuary was expanded and some of the areas of the marine sanctuary were raised to the level of Marine National Park to provide more protection to these areas. Marine Sanctuary (MS) and Marine National Park (MNP) are two legal units, they are part of the same ecological area or MPA in the Gulf of Kachchh.Marine Sanctuary (MS) covers an area of 457.92 sq. km whereas the Marine National Park (MNP) is established in an area of 162.89 sq. km.There are 42 islands, out of which 36 islands are covered under National Park and rest 6 islands are covered under Sanctuary area. Among these islands, Ajad & Bet Dwarka are revenue islands where in surrounding inter tidal and sub tidal area fall under Sanctuary/ National park.
