To prevent the degradation of corals and enhance biological diversity off Maharashtra's coastline, the state government has launched a first-of-its kind project to set up artificial reefs and transplant corals at Malvan in Sindhudurg.
The Sindhudurg Coastal and Marine Ecosystem (SCME) is one of the 11 ecologically and economically critical habitats identified along the Indian coastline.
Though corals are also found at other locations in Maharashtra like Ratnagiri, Vengurla and Colaba in Mumbai, senior forest department officials involved with the initiative, said that the corals in Malvan were more abundant and were hard, reef forming ones unlike the soft ones found at other sites. The area has repository of 11 coral species and is a major fish landing spot and tourism destination.
"Malvan has a coral area but we have also noticed bleaching which happens due to global warming and others reasons (like) invasive species," N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests, Mangrove Cell, told dna. Hence, the project, which involves set up of artificial reefs and transplantation of corals, is being undertaken and work has begun recently, he added.
Artificial reef blocks will be kept on the sea bed so that life forms can generate and start a new food chain. This will help fish aggregate and promote coral growth.
"However, we have noticed bleaching and have hence restricted transplantation efforts," said Vasudevan, adding that they would check the state of the transplanted corals and then proceed based on the results. The project will cover around 1 acre of area.
"The local community has been taken into confidence… we are operating with their consent," said Vasudevan, adding that this would ensure a long-term benefit for fisherfolk due to increased fish habitats and better fish landings and push up tourism potential.
Work on the Rs80 lakh GOI- United Nations Development Program (UNDP)- Global Environment Facility (GEF) project is undertaken by the Tamil Nadu-based Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI). This is part of the larger Government of Maharashtra- GEF- UNDP project on 'Mainstreaming Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation into Production Sectors in Sindhudurg Coast, Maharashtra' project launched by the Government of India in collaboration with the state government and UNDP.
A similar project which was undertaken in the Gulf of Mannar (in Tamil Nadu) has been successful, noted Vasudevan. "Corals were practically disappearing in many parts but were restored due to transplantation," he added, stating that these corals had been sourced locally instead of from sites like the Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep. Similarly, the corals to be transplanted at Malvan will also be sourced locally.
Moreover, bringing corals from far off sites also increased their mortality rate. Local species adapted better to conditions like turbidity, wave forces, light penetration and salinity.
The SCME area has a rich biodiversity including 367 species of marine flora and fauna, 73 types of mollusks and 74 and 3 species each of fish and sea turtles.
Around 29.12 sqkm area of the SCME has been designated as the Malvan Marine Sanctuary (MMS) in 1987 and is one of the seven marine protected areas in India.
