View source for Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
| alt_name = 
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Dugong.jpg
| photo_alt = 
| photo_caption = [[Dugong]], a [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] [[marine mammal]]
| photo_width = 
| map = India Tamil Nadu#India
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India
| map_width = 
| label = Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
| location = Coastal regions of [[Thoothukkudi]] and [[Ramanathapuram District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = Rameswaram
| coordinates = {{coords|09|08|15|N|79|28|21|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 560
| established = 1986
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/br_gmmnp.html Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests]
| world_heritage_site = 
| url = http://forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gmmnp.html
}}
The '''Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park''' is a [[Protected areas of India|protected area of India]] consisting of 21 small islands ([[islet]]s) and adjacent [[coral reef]]s in the [[Gulf of Mannar]] in the [[Indian Ocean]]. It lies 1 to 10&nbsp;km away from the east coast of [[Tamil Nadu]], India for 160&nbsp;km between [[Thoothukudi]] (Tuticorin) and [[Dhanushkodi]]. It is the core area of the [[Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve#Conservation|Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve]] which includes a 10&nbsp;km buffer zone around the park, including the populated coastal area.<ref name=UNDP1>{{cite web|url=http://data.undp.org.in/factsheets/ene/oct06/GulfofMannar.pdf |title=Conservation and Sustainable-use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity |access-date=2007-10-15 |author=UNDP |year=1994 |publisher=UNDP, Project Brief, New York |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180802/http://data.undp.org.in/factsheets/ene/oct06/GulfofMannar.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> The park has a high [[Biodiversity|diversity]] of plants and animals in its [[Marine (ocean)|marine]], [[Intertidal zone|intertidal]] and near [[shore]] [[Habitat (ecology)|habitats]]. Public access inside the park is limited to [[glass-bottom boat]] rides.<ref name=GMBRT1>{{cite web|url= http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gmmnp.html|title= Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park - Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. (GOMNP)|access-date= 2007-10-15|author= Shaunak B Modi|year= 2011|publisher= Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071102053914/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gmmnp.html|archive-date= 2 November 2007|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

==Geography==
The {{convert|560|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} park is part of the 140&nbsp;km long and 25&nbsp;km wide Mannar [[Apron reef|barrier reef]]. It lies between 8° 47' to 9° 15' N latitude and 78° 12' to 79° 14' E longitude. The 21 islands vary from 0.25 ha (.6 acre) to 130 ha. (321.2 acres). Total area of the islands is {{convert|6.23|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} <ref name=UNDPPR061/> {{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The islands (listed southwest to northeast)

'''[[Thoothukudi|Tuticorin]] group: (4 islands)'''<br />Vaan, 16.0 ha <ref name="Anna1" /> {{coord|8.83639|N|78.21047|E}}<br />Koswari, 19.50 ha {{coord|8.86879|N|78.22506|E}}<br />Vilanguchalli, 0.95 ha {{coord|8.93815|N|78.26969|E}}, now 1 m below mean low tide level as a  result of excessive coral mining.<br />Kariyachalli, 16.46 ha {{coord|8.95409|N|78.25235|E}}

'''[[Vembar]] group: (3 islands)'''<br />
Uppu Thanni, 22.94 ha, elevation 4 m {{coord|9.08921|N|78.49148|E}}<br /> 
Puluvini Challi, 6.12 ha, elevation 5.5 m {{coord|9.10320|N|78.53688|E}}<br /> 
Nalla Thanni, 101.00 ha, elevation 11.9 m (recently populated) {{coord|9.10667|N|78.57885|E}}
 
'''[[Kilakarai]] group:  (7 islands)'''<br />
Anaipar, 11.00 ha, elevation 2.1 m {{coord|9.15294|N|78.69481|E}}<br />
Vali Munai, 6.72 ha, elevation 1.2 m {{coord|9.15354|N|78.73052|E}}<br />
Poovarasan Patti, 0.50 ha, elevation 1.2 m {{coord|9.15413|N|78.76695|E}}<br />
Appa, 28.63 ha, elevation 6.4 m {{coord|9.16582|N|78.82596|E}}<br />
Talairi, 75.15 ha, elevation 2.7 m {{coord|9.18133|N|78.90673|E}}<br />
Valai 10.10 ha, elevation 3.0 m {{coord|9.18421|N|78.93866|E}}<br />
Mulli, 10.20 ha, elevation 1.2 m {{coord|9.18641|N|78.96810|E}} 
[[File:AMS-Gulf of Mannar (SW).jpg|thumb|115px|'''Topographic Map''' (SW)]]
'''[[Mandapam]] group:(7 islands)'''<br /> 
Musal, 124.00 ha, elevation 0.9 m {{coord|9.19912|N|79.07530|E}} (recently populated)<br />
Manoli, 25.90 ha {{coord|9.21564|N|79.12834|E}}<br />
Manoli-Putti 2.34 ha {{coord|9.21581|N|79.12800|E}}<br />
Poomarichan 16.58 ha {{coord|9.24538|N|79.17993|E}}<br />
Pullivasal, 29.95 ha {{coord|9.23699|N|79.19100|E}}<br />
Kurusadai, 65.80 ha {{coord|9.24690|N|79.20945|E}} was recently populated.<ref name=PATTERSON1/> Its surrounding shallow waters harbour three species of seagrass that are found nowhere else in India. Representatives of every animal phylum known (except amphibians) are found on this island.<ref name=OSTI1>{{cite web|url=http://www.niot.res.in/m5/mbic/osti/newsletters/newsletter/july2004.pdf |title=Focus on an Island |access-date=2007-10-15 |author=OSTI staff |date=July 2004 |work=Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Newsletter, Vol 2.3 Issue 5, p.2 |publisher=National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><br />
Shingle, 12.69 ha, elevation .6m {{coord|9.24174|N|79.23563|E}}

Tidal amplitude in the area is about .5m.<ref name=Anna1>{{cite web|url= http://iomenvis.nic.in/gulf%20of%20mannar.htm|title= Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve|access-date= 2007-10-15|author= IOM|year= 2007|work= Ecologically Important Areas of Tamil Nadu Coast|publisher= Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080106075053/http://iomenvis.nic.in/gulf%20of%20mannar.htm|archive-date= 6 January 2008|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

There were two more islands named Pandayan and Punnaiyadi at {{coord|8.78075|N|78.19536|E}} that were destroyed for construction of the new [[Thoothukudi#Port|Tuticorn Port]] facilities.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Avicennia germinans.jpg|thumb|235px|'''[[Avicennia|Mangroves]]''']]
[[File:Dugong_Marsa_Alam.jpg|thumb|right|Dugong with tropical fish]]
[[File:Hawaii turtle 2.JPG|thumb|235px|'''[[Green turtle]]''']]
[[File:Common clownfish.jpg|thumb|235px|'''[[Clownfish]]''']]
The park includes [[Estuary|estuaries]], [[mudflat]]s, [[beach]]es and [[forest]]s of the near shore environment. It also includes marine components such as [[coral reef]]s, [[seaweed]] communities, [[sea grass]]es, [[salt marsh]]es and [[mangrove]]s. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521050812/http://gombrtrust.org/seaweeds.htm Seaweed photo gallery]

'''Flora''' – Mangroves dominate the intertidal zones of the park islands. They consist of species of the genera ''[[Rhizophora]]'', ''[[Avicennia]]'', ''[[Bruguiera]]'', ''[[Ceriops]]'' and ''[[Lumnitzera]]''.<ref name=TFD1/> Mangroves: [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521050752/http://gombrtrust.org/mangroves.htm photo gallery]. The introduced tree genus ''[[Prosopis]]'' is dominant on land in all the islands. The flowering herb ''[[Pemphis acidula]]'' (family [[Lythraceae]]) is the only endemic plant species.<ref name=Jeganathan1>{{cite web|url= http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/ars/2006/stalin.htm |title= Vegetation status in the offshore islands of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu |access-date= 2007-10-15|author= Jeganathan Stalin|year= 2007|publisher= Wildlife Institute of India|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162643/http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/ars/2006/stalin.htm|archive-date= 21 July 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref> 12 species of sea grass and 147 species of seaweeds were recorded. This vegetation provides important feeding grounds for the [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] [[marine mammal]], the [[dugong]],<ref name=PATTERSON1>{{cite web |url=http://sdmri.org/reports/CORDIO%20%20Report%202005%20-%20Reef%20status%20in%20Tuticorin%20coast.pdf |title=Status of Coral Reefs of the Tuticorin Coast, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India |access-date=2007-10-15 |author1=J. K. Patterson Edward |author2=Jamila Patterson |author3=G. Mathews |author4=Dan Wilhelmsson |publisher=Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> [[endangered]] [[green turtle]]s and vulnerable [[olive ridley turtle]]s.<ref name=ICRS1>{{cite web|url=http://envfor.nic.in/icrmn/events/stcri00.html |title=Status of Coral Reefs of India |access-date=2007-10-15 |author1=E.V. Muley |author2=J.R.B. Alfred |author3=K. Venkataraman |author4=M.V.M. Wafar |year=2000 |publisher=9 ICRS, BALI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410115205/http://envfor.nic.in/icrmn/events/stcri00.html |archive-date=2009-04-10}}</ref> Sea grasses: [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521051022/http://gombrtrust.org/seagrass.htm photo gallery]

'''Fauna'''

'''Vertebrates'''

The dugong, a [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] [[marine mammal]], is the flagship mammal of the park. It is an important habitat for the [[cetacean]]s: [[Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin#Taxonomy|Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin]], [[finless porpoise]], [[spinner dolphin]],<ref>Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. http://www.tuticorincity.info/plan-your-tour/Gulf-of-Mannar-Marine-National-Park.html. [[Tuticorin City]]. retrieved 13-05-2014</ref> [[common dolphin]],<ref name=Wells1>{{cite web |url= http://www.cetaceanhabitat.org/find_mpa1.php |title= Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park |access-date=2007-10-15 |author= Wells|year= 1995|work=Cetacean habitat directory for MPAs, national and international sanctuaries |publisher=Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society}}</ref> [[Risso's dolphin]], [[melon-headed whale]], and [[dwarf sperm whale]].<ref>Active Asia Travel. http://www.hotelsatmaldives.com/Whales.html {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140513073001/http://www.hotelsatmaldives.com/Whales.html |date=13 May 2014}} retrieved 13-05-2014</ref> Larger whales include [[sperm whale]],<ref>Accounts of Whale Watching in Sri Lanka. http://www.jetwingeco.com/content/accounts-whale-watching-sri-lanka. Jetwing Eco Holidays. retrieved on 13-05-2014</ref> [[minke whale]], [[Bryde's whale]],<ref>Balaenoptera edeni. {{cite web |url=http://www.marinemammals.in/marine-mammals-of-india/cetacea/mysticeti/balaenopteridae/brydes-whale |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513222959/http://www.marinemammals.in/marine-mammals-of-india/cetacea/mysticeti/balaenopteridae/brydes-whale |archive-date=13 May 2014 |df=dmy-all}}. Marine Mammal Conservation Network of India. retrieved 13-05-2014</ref> [[sei whale]],<ref>Kasim H.M., Balasubramanian S.T., 1989. On the stranding of Sei whale ''Balaenoptera borealis'' along Gulf of Mannar coast. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series, 95 . pp. 12-14. Eprints@CMFRI. http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/3068/. retrieved on 13-05-2014</ref> and critically endangered species including [[humpback whale]], [[fin whale]],<ref>Miller M., Scott A., Gulf of Mannar. http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/India/Gulf_of_Mannar.pdf. Biosphere Reserve Project. retrieved on 13-05-2014</ref> and [[blue whale]].<ref>Marichamy R., Rajapandian M.E., Srinivasan A., 1984. The stranding of rorqual whale ''Balaenoptera musculus'' (Linnaeus) in the Gulf of Mannar. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India. 26. 168-170. Marine Mammal Conservation Network of India. Submit a Record. {{cite web |url=http://www.marinemammals.in/database/sightings-a-strandings/details/2/258 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513224727/http://www.marinemammals.in/database/sightings-a-strandings/details/2/258 |archive-date=13 May 2014 |df=dmy-all}}retrieved 13-05-2014</ref>

About 510 (23%) of the 2,200 fin fish species in Indian waters are found in the Gulf, making it the most highly diverse fish habitat in India. Coral associated ornamental fishes of the family Chaetodontidae ([[butterfly fish]]), [[parrotfish]], ''[[Amphiprion]]'' spp. ([[clown fish]]), ''[[Holocentrus]]'' spp. (squirrel fish), ''Scarus'' spp. ([[parrot fish]]), ''Lutjanus'' spp. (snappers) and ''Abudefduf saxatilis'' ([[sergeant major]]) are abundant.<ref name=Hoon1>{{cite web |url= http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5627E/x5627e06.htm|title= Coral Reefs of India: Review of Their Extent, Condition, Research and Management Status|access-date= 2007-10-15|author= Hoon Vineeta|year= 1997|publisher= FAO, Regional Workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs}}</ref>

A unique endemic species of [[Balanoglossus]] – [[Ptychodera|Ptychodera fluva]], a living fossil that links invertebrates and vertebrates, has been recorded only at Kurusadai.<ref name= OSTI1/>

'''Invertebrates'''

Four species each of [[shrimp]] and [[lobster]], 106 species of [[crab]], 17 species of [[Holothuroidea|sea cucumber]],  and 466 species of [[mollusc]] including 271 [[gastropod]]s, 174 [[bivalve]]s, 5 [[polyplacophoran]]s, 16 [[cephalopod]]s and 5 [[scaphopod]]s,<ref>Patterson J.K.</ref>  108 species of [[sponge]], and 100 species of [[echinoderm]] occur in the Gulf.<ref name=UNDP20011>{{cite web|url=http://www.gefweb.org/Documents/Project_Proposals_for_Endorsem/PP_Archives/INDIA_Mannar.pdf |title=Project Document – ''Conservation and Sustainable-use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity'' |access-date=2007-10-15 |author=UNDP |date=January 2001 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715165835/http://www.gefweb.org/Documents/Project_Proposals_for_Endorsem/PP_Archives/INDIA_Mannar.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The coral fauna includes 106 species from 30 genus of [[hermatypes]] and 11 species from 10 genus of [[ahermatypes]], including 13 new species, giving a total of 117 species from 14 families and 40 genus. The reefs in this area are narrow [[fringing reef]]s located 150 to 300 m. from the shore of the islands and [[Apron reef|patch reef]]s rising up from depths of 2 to 9 m. and extending up to 2&nbsp;km. long and 50 m. wide. Large areas of these reefs are in generally poor condition due to destructive human activities of the 150,000 persons living along the coast. Nutrient and other pollution loads are high due to agriculture, deforestation, industry, urbanization and septic pollution. It appears that the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park seem to be healthy and in good condition, despite high rates of sedimentation and other threats.<ref>Edward J. K Patterson, Mathews Edward G., Patterson Jamilla, Wilhelmsson Dan, Tamelander Jerjer, Linden Olaf  (April 2007) Coral Reefs of The Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern India-Distribution, Diversity and Status, special Research Publication # 12, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, 44 Beach Road, Tuticorn, Tamil Nadu, 628001 India [www.sdmri.org]</ref> However, live coral cover is only about 35%. Various algae cover much of the dead coral.<ref>Venkataswaran Dr. V  (January 2000)  Status Survey of Gulf of Mannar Coral Reefs, Marine Biological Station, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, 100 San Thome High Road, Chennai, India, 600028</ref>

[[Scleractinia|Stony coral]] species of families [[Poritidae]] and [[Faviidae]] constitute the dominant reef builders here. Coral reefs near some of the islands have been heavily damaged by exploitation as raw materials for industrial ventures such as cement industries, brick manufacture, masonry work and lime kilns. Though legal quarrying of the reefs is now stopped, up to 250 m<sup>3</sup>/day of reef were destroyed for many years.<ref name=TFD1>{{cite web|url= http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/br_gmmnp.html|title= Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park|access-date= 2007-10-14|year= 2007|work= Ecologically Important Areas of Tamil Nadu Coast|publisher= [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]]|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027062606/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/br_gmmnp.html|archive-date= 27 October 2007|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

==Habitation==
[[File:Fishing boats - GOMMNP.jpg|thumb|250px|Boats at [[Mandapam]] that fish in GOMMNP]]
The islands are uninhabited except for Krusadai, Musal and Nallathanni islands where antipoaching sheds are operating.<ref name=Fishes1>{{cite web|url= http://www.nbaindia.org/docs/ncb_jan_06_11.pdf|title= Biodiversity and biology of marine ornamental reef fishes of Gulf of Mannar – parrotfishes (family: scaridae)|access-date= 2007-10-14|author= V.K.Venkataramani and N. Jayakumar|year= 2007|publisher= Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Thoothukudi|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110727112913/http://www.nbaindia.org/docs/ncb_jan_06_11.pdf|archive-date= 27 July 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Along the coast near the park there are about 125 villages which support about 100,000 people who are mainly [[Marakeyar]]s, a local community principally engaged in fishing.<ref name=UNDPPR061>{{cite web |url= http://www.reefbase.org/gefll/pdf/Gulf%20of%20Mannar%20-%20APR%202006.pdf|title= Annual Project review, Conservation and sustainable use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity|access-date=2007-10-16 |author= Undp gombr|date=October 2006|work= UNDP GEF APR/PIR 2006 – Biodiversity (1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006)|publisher= UNDP}}</ref><ref name=TFD1/>

==Habitat Degradation==
Experts say that Vaan Island, one of the four islands of the Tuticorn group, has split in two and if immediate efforts are not taken then the island would soon vanish under the sea. Vaan Island, which is the southernmost of the 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar, was initially spread across 16 hectares, but had shrunk alarmingly by around 10.3 hectares to its current 5.7 hectares in less than three decades. According to J K Patterson Edward, director of Suganthi Devadasan Marine Research Institute (SDMRI), Tuticorin,"Rampant coral mining by people of the fishing villages along the coast is the main cause of the devastation to the island. Coral mining was banned in 2005, but the damage had already been done." Two of the 21 islands have already submerged around a decade ago.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gulf of Mannar isle splits in two, may sink|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-09/india/39849254_1_mannar-21-islands-gulf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612060214/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-09/india/39849254_1_mannar-21-islands-gulf|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2013|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

==Visitor information==
Glass-bottomed boats available at Mandapam cater to tourists visiting the area. Access to the islands is prohibited. The nearest railway stations are at Mandapam and Tuticorin.

==See also==
*[[Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education]]
*[[Coral reefs in India]]
*[[Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute]]
*[[Fisheries College and Research Institute]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Corals images gallery: [https://web.archive.org/web/20100520020741/http://gombrtrust.org/corals.htm #1], [https://web.archive.org/web/20070814024113/http://www.reefindia.org/coralpic.htm #2].
<!--unused resources for article expansion-->
*Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Trust
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20071201212650/http://trbaalu.nic.in/minister/speech/2000/dec1600a.html Speech of Thiru. T.R. Baalu, Honorable Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180221043412/http://www.gombrt.org/ Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, Ramanadapuram]
*Conservation and Sustainable-use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity, UNDP
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20070616221152/http://www.gefweb.org/wprogram/May99/Bio/India_1.doc Fact Sheet – October, 2006]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180806/http://data.undp.org.in/factsheets/ene/may07/GoMBRT.pdf Fact Sheet – May, 2007]
*[http://www.sdmri.org/reports/Turtle.pdf  Sea turtles and their Conservation]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080829121828/http://www.icsf.net/SU/Mon/EN/91/ALL.pdf Marine Protected Areas of India]

{{National Parks of India}}
{{Protected areas of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}

[[Category:Gulf of Mannar]]
[[Category:Marine parks of India]]
[[Category:National parks in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Coromandel Coast]]
[[Category:Thoothukudi]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1986]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]