Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch
| Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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 Location Map |
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| Location | Jamnagar District, Gujarat, India |
| Nearest city | Jamnagar |
| Area | 162.89 km² |
| Established | 1982 |
| Governing body | Forest Department of Gujarat |
Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh in the Jamnagar District of Gujarat state, India. In 1980, an area of 270 km2. from Okha to Jodiya was declared Marine Sanctuary. Later, in 1982, a core area of 110 km2 was declared Marine National Park under the provisions of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 of India. It is the first national marine park of India. There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, most of them surrounded by reefs. The best known island is Pirotan.[1] Among the fauna found here include: coral, dugong and the finless porpoise. There are 42 islands in the Arabian Sea with coral reefs and the park is situated in one of those.[2]
Biodiversity and Conservation challenges [edit]
Marine National Park of Gulf of Kutchh is a fragile ecosystem. In recent years, biodiversity of marine park has been under threat on several scores like extraction of corals and sands by cement industries, increased turbidity of water, oil refineries, chemical industries and mechanised fishing boats.[1]
| Particulars | Species Diversity |
|---|---|
| Algae | 108 |
| Corals (Hard and soft) | 56 |
| Sponges | 70 |
| Fish | 200 |
| Prawns | 27 |
| Crabs | 30 |
| Molluscs | 400+ |
| Turtles | 3 |
| Sea snakes | 3 |
| Birds | 175 |
| Mammals | 3 |
Notes and references [edit]
- ^ a b c Apte, Deepak. Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutchh: A conservation challenge. Bombay Natural History Society. pp. 26–27. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
- ^ "A marine park in Gujarat on its way to become hot tourist spot". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
External links [edit]
- Images Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park in Jamnagar
- Birds and Wildlife in Jamnagar
- Hard Corals Order:Scleractinia From Gulf of Kutch
Coordinates: 22°28′00″N 69°37′00″E / 22.4667°N 69.6167°E
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