Date:31/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/31/stories/2008123154570800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Need to conserve coral reefs stressed

Staff Reporter

Workshop on “current status, threats and conservation measures of coral reefs in India”

— Photo: N. Rajesh

Protect it: R. Sunararaju, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, releasing a coral awareness poster in Tuticorin on Monday.

Tuticorin: Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI), Tuticorin, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) conducted a workshop on the “Current status, threats and conservation measures of coral reefs in India” which commenced here on Monday.

Considering the lacunae in the comprehensive baseline status information from all major four reef areas, including Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MNoEF) decided that inviting all reef managers and scientists in India to the two-day workshop would be beneficial for protection of reefs by preparing a comprehensive status report.

B.P. Nilaratna, Joint secretary to Government of India (MoEF), said that coral reefs in India were estimated to be 2,379 square km, which was less than one per cent in the world.

Reefs play a key role in protecting the coastline from erosion.

He expressed the hope that the research work would help preserve those important habitats.

There were 700 species in the world and in India there were about 200 species of coral and said that those reefs must be protected to preserve newly discovered wildlife and to safeguard future fishing. He appreciated the coral restoration work carried out by the SDMRI.

R. Sunararaju, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, in his presidential address, said that mining activities were completely stopped because of strict enforcement by Forest Department and awareness creation by GOMBRT. For the past three years, the live coral covers were increased.

Several publications and posters in respect of conservation of coral reefs, prepared by SDMRI in association with GOMBRT, were released.

Collector R. Palaniyandi, said that the district administration would extend all cooperation to conserve coral reefs. J.R. Bhatt, Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Khazan Singh, PCCF (Wild Life), Port Blair, Hanying Li, Senior Programme Officer, IUCN – MFF, Thailand, Aditi Mehandiratta, IUCN India Country Office and J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, SDMRI, spoke. International Year of Reefs song was composed and sung by the students of Holy Cross Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Tuticorin.