Marine National Park

Name:

Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch

Location: Situated in the Gulf of Kutch, Jamnagar district, Gujarat. Spread along the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch on the Arabian Sea.

Establishment: Declared a Marine Sanctuary in 1980. Upgraded to a Marine National Park in 1982, making it India’s first Marine National Park.

Area covered: The park covers about 162.89 square kilometers, with an additional 457.92 square kilometers as the surrounding Marine Sanctuary.

Geographical features: Consists of 42 islands, most of which are surrounded by coral reefs and mangroves. The Pirotan Island is the most famous and accessible island within the park.

Biodiversity: Home to coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, mudflats, and sand belts. Rich in marine life like octopus, sea cucumbers, dolphins, sea turtles, starfish, sponges, and crabs. Over 70 species of sponges and about 30 species of corals have been recorded.

Flora and fauna: Mangrove forests act as breeding grounds for several marine species. Migratory and resident birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and herons, are commonly seen.

Conservation significance: Protects fragile marine ecosystems and promotes ecological balance. Aims to conserve endangered marine species and their habitats.

Tourism and access: Tourists can visit Pirotan Island with prior permission from the Forest Department and the Ports and Customs authorities. Popular for eco-tourism, birdwatching, snorkeling, and marine study tours.

Threats: Faces challenges from industrial pollution, oil spills, coral bleaching, and coastal development. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen conservation and sustainable tourism practices.