The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rs. 3-crore plan to protect Gulf of Mannar biosphere

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 23, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Rs. 3-crore plan to protect Gulf of Mannar biosphere

By Our Staff Reporter

RAMESWARAM, DEC. 22. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust has decided to implement a strategic plan to protect the ecological system of the reserve.

The plan estimated at about Rs. 3 crores will be undertaken with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Programme's Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the State and Central Governments.

The director of the Trust, a nodal agency constituted to protect the eco-system of the reserve and improve the lifestyle of fisherfolk living in 125 villages of the Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin district coastal areas, A. Ramkumar, told The Hindu that 200 floating buoys, manufactured with anti-corrosive materials, around the 20 km circumference out of 250 circumference of the Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park (GMNMP) would be installed in the first phase to demarcate the sea boundary. Singili and Kurusadai blocks of the GMNMP have been selected for the trial project.

The buoys system adopted for the Desalination Project at Naripayyur would be followed for this project.

Work in January

The implementation of the project would be started from January with an outlay of Rs. 20 lakhs. On the basis of the trial plan, the remaining 230 km circumference of the Park would be covered in subsequent years. This would facilitate the fisherfolk and others to identify the boundary of the protected marine area. Functioning and maintenance works would be handed over to the local Eco-Development Committee, said Mr. Ramkumar.

The Wildlife Warden of the Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park, V. Naganathan, said 10 anti-poaching camps would be established at an estimate of Rs. 30 lakhs in Kurusadai, Poomarichan, Mulli, Muyal, Talaiari, Vallimunai, Nallathanni, Kaswari, Shingle and Valimunai islands of the National Park, which were rich in marine wealth, to prevent human entry and to monitor the coral, sea grass and mangrove ecological systems of the protected areas. Besides creating watch towers, 40 watchers mostly locals would be employed. All islands would be covered under wireless system.

Patrol teams

He said six fast moving boats with modern equipment at a cost of Rs. 1.80 crores would be imported soon. This would be mainly utilised for the monitoring of the movements of fishermen in the protected area. Six patrol parties would also be formed. Mr. Ramkumar said village-level committees had already been formed in 52 villages that were coming under the biosphere reserve area to plan, maintain and execute developmental activities.

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