Marine Protected Areas in India (Complete State-wise List)
Marine Protected Areas in India
Table of Contents
What is Marine Protected Areas?
· A Marine Protected Area is a zone in the ocean or littoral area where anthropogenic activities are regulated more strictly than the surrounding waters. These places are given special protections for marine wildlife by the national, regional, state and local authorities.
· It is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.
· MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. This restriction includes different limitations on development, fishing practices, fishing seasons and catch limits, moorings and bans on removing or disrupting marine life.
· MPA is an umbrella term to describe a wide range of protected areas for marine conservation around the world.
Why Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
· Marine protected areas are essential to –
o Safeguard biodiversity and
o Sustain vibrant seas and oceans
o Increase biomass and biodiversity in tropical and temperate ecosystems.
o Serve as insurance policies against the impacts of fishing and other destructive activities.
Marine Protected Area in India
· India has a coastline of 8,118 km, with an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million km² and a continental shelf area of 372,424 km², spread across 9 maritime States and Union Territories, including the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.
· India’s biodiversity protection programmes have been highly successful with 600 protected areas across 161,221 km². Protected areas account for 4.9% of the country’s total geographical area.
· The important species found in the Indian waters include, Dugongs, Whales, Dolphins, Olive Ridley Turtles, a variety of fishes including the Whale Sharks & other sharks, Giant Groupers, Sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs, sea shells, soft & hard corals, etc.
Regulation of Marine Protected Areas in India
· In India, all marine protected areas fall under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It is the nodal agency at the central level and responsible for –
o Planning,
o Promotion,
o Co-ordination and
o Overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes (Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, 2012).
· At the state level the Department of Forests (under the Ministry of Environment and Forests) acts as the nodal agency for the same.
· Departments of Fisheries are responsible for managing the fisheries resources in their particular state.
· The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) deals with the science and technology research of exploitation of ocean resources (living and non-living).
Complete State-wise List of Marine Protected Areas in India
· India has at present have following designated Marine Protected Areas in Peninsular India.
· Besides these, there are many Marine Protected Areas in Islands of India i.e. Andaman and Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep.
List of Marine Protected Areas in peninsular India
S.No |
State |
Name of MPA |
Category |
Area |
Established |
1 |
Andhra Pradesh
|
Coringa |
Sanctuary |
235.7 |
1978 |
2 |
Krishna |
Sanctuary |
194.81 |
1989 |
|
3 |
Pulicat Lake |
Sanctuary |
500 |
1980 |
|
4 |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
Sanctuary |
92.16 |
2000 |
5 |
Daman & Diu |
Fudam |
Sanctuary |
2.18 |
1991 |
6 |
Goa |
Chorao Island |
Sanctuary |
1.78 |
1988 |
7 |
Gujarat
|
Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) |
National Park |
162.89 |
1995 |
8 |
Khijadia |
Sanctuary |
6.05 |
1981 |
|
9 |
Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) |
Sanctuary |
295.03 |
1980 |
|
10 |
Kerala |
Kadalundi Vallikkunnu Com R |
Community Reserve |
1.50 |
2007 |
11 |
Maharashtra |
Malvan Marine |
Sanctuary |
29.12 |
1987 |
12 |
Thane Creek Flamingo |
Sanctuary |
16.905 |
2015 |
|
13 |
Odisha
|
Bhitarkanika |
National Park |
145 |
1998 |
14 |
Bhitarkanika |
Sanctuary |
672 |
1975 |
|
15 |
Chilka (Nalaban) |
Sanctuary |
15.53 |
1987 |
|
16 |
Gahirmatha |
Sanctuary |
1435 |
1997 |
|
17 |
Balukhand Konark |
Sanctuary |
71.72 |
1984 |
|
18 |
Tamil Nadu
|
Gulf of Mannar Marine |
National Park |
6.23 |
1980 |
19 |
Point Calimere |
Sanctuary |
172.6 |
1967 |
|
20 |
Pulicat Lake |
Sanctuary |
153.67 |
1980 |
|
21 |
West Bengal
|
Sundarbans |
National Park |
1330.1 |
1984 |
22 |
West Sundarbans |
Sanctuary |
556.45 |
2013 |
|
23 |
Haliday Island |
Sanctuary |
5.95 |
1976 |
|
24 |
Sajnakhali |
Sanctuary |
2091.1 |
1976 |
|
25 |
Lothian Island |
Sanctuary |
38 |
1976 |
List of Marine Protected Areas in Islands of India
There are many Marine Protected Areas in Islands of India i.e. Andaman and Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep.
S.No |
State |
Name of MPA |
Category |
Area |
Established |
1 |
Andaman & Nicobar |
Arial Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1977 |
2 |
Bamboo Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1977 |
|
3 |
Barren Island |
Sanctuary |
11.99 |
1977 |
|
4 |
Battimalv Island |
Sanctuary |
5.03 |
1977 |
|
5 |
Belle Island |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1977 |
|
6 |
Bennett Island |
Sanctuary |
3.46 |
1977 |
|
7 |
Bingham Island |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1977 |
|
8 |
Blister Island |
Sanctuary |
0.26 |
1977 |
|
9 |
Bluff Island |
Sanctuary |
1.14 |
1977 |
|
10 |
Bondoville Island |
Sanctuary |
2.55 |
1977 |
|
11 |
Brush Island |
Sanctuary |
0.23 |
1977 |
|
12 |
Buchanan Island |
Sanctuary |
9.33 |
1977 |
|
13 |
Campbell |
National Park |
426.23 |
1992 |
|
14 |
Chanel Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1977 |
|
15 |
Cinque Islands |
Sanctuary |
9.51 |
1977 |
|
16 |
Clyde Island |
Sanctuary |
0.54 |
1977 |
|
17 |
Cone Island |
Sanctuary |
0.65 |
1977 |
|
18 |
Curlew (B.P.) Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1977 |
|
19 |
Curlew Island |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1977 |
|
20 |
Defence Island |
Sanctuary |
10.49 |
1977 |
|
21 |
Dot Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1977 |
|
22 |
Dottrell Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1977 |
|
23 |
Duncan Island |
Sanctuary |
0.73 |
1977 |
|
24 |
East Island |
Sanctuary |
6.11 |
1977 |
|
25 |
East Of Inglis Island |
Sanctuary |
3.55 |
1977 |
|
26 |
Egg Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1977 |
|
27 |
Elat Island |
Sanctuary |
9.36 |
1977 |
|
28 |
Entrance Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1977 |
|
29 |
Galathea |
National Park |
110 |
1992 |
|
30 |
Gander Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1977 |
|
31 |
Girjan Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1977 |
|
32 |
Goose Island |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
1977 |
|
33 |
Hump Island |
Sanctuary |
0.47 |
1977 |
|
34 |
Interview Island |
Sanctuary |
133.87 |
1977 |
|
35 |
James Island |
Sanctuary |
2.1 |
1977 |
|
36 |
Jungle Island |
Sanctuary |
0.52 |
1977 |
|
37 |
Kyd Island |
Sanctuary |
8 |
1977 |
|
38 |
Landfall Island |
Sanctuary |
29.48 |
1977 |
|
39 |
Latouche Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1977 |
|
40 |
Lohabarrack |
Sanctuary |
22.21 |
1977 |
|
41 |
Andaman & Nicobar |
Mahatma Gandhi Marine |
National Park |
281.5 |
1983 |
42 |
Mangrove Island |
Sanctuary |
0.39 |
1977 |
|
43 |
Mask Island |
Sanctuary |
0.78 |
1977 |
|
44 |
Mayo Island |
Sanctuary |
0.1 |
1977 |
|
45 |
Megapode Island |
Sanctuary |
0.12 |
1977 |
|
46 |
Middle Button Island |
National Park |
0.44 |
1987 |
|
47 |
Montogemery Island |
Sanctuary |
0.21 |
1977 |
|
48 |
Mount Harriett |
National Park |
46.62 |
1987 |
|
49 |
Narcondam Island |
Sanctuary |
6.81 |
1977 |
|
50 |
North Brother Island |
Sanctuary |
0.75 |
1977 |
|
51 |
North Button Island |
National Park |
0.44 |
1987 |
|
52 |
North Island |
Sanctuary |
0.49 |
1977 |
|
53 |
North Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
3.48 |
1977 |
|
54 |
Oliver Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1977 |
|
55 |
Orchid Island |
Sanctuary |
0.1 |
1977 |
|
56 |
Ox Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1977 |
|
57 |
Oyster Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1977 |
|
58 |
Oyster Island-II |
Sanctuary |
0.21 |
1977 |
|
59 |
Paget Island |
Sanctuary |
7.36 |
1977 |
|
60 |
Parkinson Island |
Sanctuary |
0.34 |
1977 |
|
61 |
Passage Island |
Sanctuary |
0.62 |
1977 |
|
62 |
Patric Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1977 |
|
63 |
Peacock Island |
Sanctuary |
0.62 |
1977 |
|
64 |
Pitman Island |
Sanctuary |
1.37 |
1977 |
|
65 |
Point Island |
Sanctuary |
3.07 |
1977 |
|
66 |
Potanma Islands |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1977 |
|
67 |
Ranger Island |
Sanctuary |
4.26 |
1977 |
|
68 |
Rani Jhansi |
National Park |
256.14 |
1996 |
|
69 |
Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
1.74 |
1977 |
|
70 |
Roper Island |
Sanctuary |
1.46 |
1977 |
|
71 |
Ross Island |
Sanctuary |
1.01 |
1977 |
|
72 |
Rowe Island |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
1977 |
|
73 |
Saddle Peak |
National Park |
32.54 |
1987 |
|
74 |
Sandy Island |
Sanctuary |
1.58 |
1977 |
|
75 |
Sea Serpent Island |
Sanctuary |
0.78 |
1977 |
|
76 |
Shark Island |
Sanctuary |
0.6 |
1977 |
|
77 |
Shearme Island |
Sanctuary |
7.85 |
1977 |
|
78 |
Sir Hugh Rose Island |
Sanctuary |
1.06 |
1977 |
|
79 |
Sisters Island |
Sanctuary |
0.36 |
1977 |
|
80 |
Snake Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.73 |
1977 |
|
81 |
Andaman & Nicobar
|
Snake Island-II |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1977 |
82 |
South Brother Island |
Sanctuary |
1.24 |
1977 |
|
83 |
South Button Island |
National Park |
0.03 |
1987 |
|
84 |
South Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
1.17 |
1977 |
|
85 |
South Sentinel Island |
Sanctuary |
1.61 |
1977 |
|
86 |
Spike Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.42 |
1977 |
|
87 |
Spike Island-II |
Sanctuary |
11.7 |
1977 |
|
88 |
Stoat Island |
Sanctuary |
0.44 |
1977 |
|
89 |
Surat Island |
Sanctuary |
0.31 |
1977 |
|
90 |
Swamp Island |
Sanctuary |
4.09 |
1977 |
|
91 |
Table (Delgarno) Island |
Sanctuary |
2.29 |
1977 |
|
92 |
Table (Excelsior) Island |
Sanctuary |
1.69 |
1977 |
|
93 |
Talabaicha Island |
Sanctuary |
3.21 |
1977 |
|
94 |
Temple Island |
Sanctuary |
1.04 |
1977 |
|
95 |
Tillongchang Island |
Sanctuary |
36.43 |
1977 |
|
96 |
Tree Island |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1977 |
|
97 |
Trilby Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1977 |
|
98 |
Tuft Island |
Sanctuary |
0.29 |
1977 |
|
99 |
Turtle Islands |
Sanctuary |
0.39 |
1977 |
|
100 |
Kwangtung Island |
Sanctuary |
0.57 |
1987 |
|
101 |
West Island |
Sanctuary |
6.4 |
1977 |
|
102 |
Wharf Island |
Sanctuary |
0.11 |
1977 |
|
103 |
White Cliff Island |
Sanctuary |
0.47 |
1977 |
|
104 |
Galathea Bay |
Sanctuary |
11.44 |
1997 |
|
105 |
Cuthbert Bay |
Sanctuary |
5.82 |
1997 |
|
106 |
Lakshadweep |
Pitti |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
2002 |
So this was all about the Complete State-wise List of Marine Protected Areas of India. To read more such notes on General Knowledge – Click Here.
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