Tuticorin: V. K. Malkani, Chief Conservator of Forests, said the State Government will come out with a comprehensive `management plan' before the end of the fiscal to conserve and enhance the marine resources in the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) Biosphere Reserve and the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.

Speaking to The Hindu here , he said the plan document, being prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun after conducting a SWOT analysis, would incorporate methods for conservation as well as judicious use of the marine resources available in the GoM.

These steps were essential to save various indigenous marine species from extinction.

He said the plan document would also include a new monitoring protocol to review the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act and further, it would highlight the techniques that should be adopted to restore the damaged coral reef ecosystem, if any.

Draft plan

The draft plan would come up before a high-level advisory committee headed by the Chief Wild Life Warden for contemplation in December.

The WII would come up with a final plan document in January, incorporating the views expressed during the discussions, and the report would be forwarded to the Government.

Seaweed promotion

Mr. Malkani said the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust had set plans to extend credit to three select women self-help groups to promote cultivation of `indigenous' seaweed.

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