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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT
Gulf Of Mannar Marine National Park
A sanctuary with a difference, the Gulf of Mannar, falling in the Indo-Pacific region is said to hold one of the world's richest biological resources. Falling in the South Eastern tip of the sub-continent, it is ecologically unique. A group of 21 islands, covering 623 hectares, lying off the Tamil Nadu coastline between Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi were declared as the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. In 1989, the park became a Biosphere Reserve.
Flora and Fauna: There are nearly 3,600 recorded species of flora and fauna in this area. As many as 117 species of coral have been identified. While on land there are beaches, estuaries and tropical dry broadleaf forests, the waters have a rich variety of algae, sea grass, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.
Marine creatures in this area include the sea turtles, dolphins, dugongs and sharks. Whales and sea cucumbers also inhabit this area, though they along with the other marine creatures are on the endangered list.
Contact: Those keen on visiting all 21 islands may need three days. They will have to seek permission from the Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wild Life Warden, Panagal Building, No. 1 Jeenis Road, Saidapet,
Chennai 15. For further details contact the Wild Life Warden, Gulf of Mannar at 04567-230079
Nearest Railhead: Mandapam
By Road: 5 km from Rameswaram/40 km from Ramanathapuram (there are plenty of buses available to the National Park)
Nearest Airport: Madurai
Accommodation: There are rooms available at Rameswaram and Ramanathapuram
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