| Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park |
| About: |
| The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has the prestigious distinction of being the first Marine Biosphere Reserve not only in India but in the whole of South East Asia. Covering an extensive area of 10,500 sq km, the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park consists of 21 islands along the coastline of Tamil Nadu. Of these, seven islands belong to Mandapam district, seven to Keelakarai district, three islands to Vembar district and the rest of the four islands to the Tuticorin district.This is located in the southeastern tip of Tamil Nadu extending from Rameswaram in the North to Kanyakumari in the south. It is the first marine biosphere reserve (BR) in India. Spreading over an area of 623 hectares (10,500 km�), the area described as the Pamban-to-Tuticorin barrier reef was declared a National Park in 1986 and later converted into a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GOM MNP) comprises of 21 islands surrounded by coral reef areas along with shallow water habitat of unique marine biodiversity. Sea horse, Sea Cow, Dolphins, sea cucumbers etc. are seen here. As all the 21 islands come under the Marine National Park sphere, tourism and other related activities are NOT allowed. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Madurai Salai, Mandapam, Ramanathapuram Tamil Nadu |
| District:Ramanathapuram |
| Nearest City:Ramanathapuram |
| Best time to visit: Throughout the Year |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The average temperature in summers is 25 c to 31 cC . This is located in Bay of Bengal. |
| History: |
| A chain of low islands and reefs known as Rama’s Bridge (based on the epic Ramayana), also called Adam’s Bridge, separates the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait, which lies to the north between India and Sri Lanka. Tambaraparani River from the coast of India and the Aruvi Aru from the coast of Sri Lanka merges with the Indian Ocean on both sides of the park. .The park is established in the year 1986. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
Flora:Major ecosystem types available are Coral reefs, mudflats, beach, island, shallow water, and mangrove .Sea grass beds dominated by family like Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae and species Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotunds, C.Serulata ; Coral reefs; mangroves including Rhizophora muctonata, Avicennia alba, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Lumnitzera racemosa are also common in the stretch.
The area has all the mangrove species available in India with Pemphis acidula being endemic and all the 11 sea-grasses of india occur here with Enhalus acoroides being endemic . The area supports 147 species of sea-weeds.Fauna:Abundance of sea-weeds and sea-grasses in grazing ground attract Sea cow (Dugong dugong) – the flagship species of the protected area. Other marine creatures like Dolphins, Sea-horse, Sea-cucumber, Sea-anemone are common here. 137 coral reef species form the basis of the ecosystem where 3600 species of plants and animals are associated.
Peculiar animal like Balanoglosses living –fossil linking invertebrates and vertebrates is endemic here. Sandy shores of islands is feeding ground for five endangered marine turtles – Green turtle, Olive ridley turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Leatherback turtle and Loggerhead turtle and the first two breed here too.The islands form a good habitat and a stop over between Chilka lake, Point Calimore and Sri lanka for migratary birds. Nearly 180 birds are found here warders and sea-birds being most common. Lesser sand piper, Curlew sandpiper, Little stint are abundent; Rare birds like Red knot, Eastern knot, Crab plovers Bar tailed Godwit, Broad billed Sandpiper, Dunlin, Longtoed stint, Rednecked phalarope are regulars here. Little tern, Kentish plover, Stone plover, Stone curlew, Lesser crested sterna breed here. Thousands of larger flamingos winter here before returning towards Rann of Kuch.The Algal Flora of the Coral Reefs:The algal species composition on the coral reefs is different from that found in the lagoons. The following species are noticed in the reefs,Padina was observed on the shores and lagoons. Gracilaria Lichenoides was found more on the shore and lagoon than on reefs. Sargassum and Turbinaria are found on the shoreward part of the reefs.The predominant species on the coral reefs is Halimeda opuntia. Caulerpa, Sargassum, Amphiroa fragilissima, Gracilaria lichenoides are the other dominant species.The Seagrass Ecosystem
The Gulf of Mannar is rich in sea grasses. The following species belonging to Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae have been recorded. The sea grass beds provide food sources for the sea mammals, particularly Dugong dugong which feeds upon these pastures on the Gulf shoreline and surrounding islands like Krusadai. The Dugongs prefer pastures of Halodule uninervis for food.The Coral Reef FormationsIn the Gulf of Mannar fringing and patch coral reefs occur. The reef framework is complex. It forms the basis of a very elaborate and functional ecosystem. The coral reefs exert influence on the course of water current. They also provide shelter to a great diversity of algae, sponges, and fishes, just to mention three groups. With the help of calcareous algae in shallow sea, the harmatypic corals build primary reef formation with secondary detrital reefs in deeper water. Apart from the sedimentary and fixed algae, we encounter drifting and imprisoned phytoplankton. Calcification is important for the formation of the coral reefs. There is no relationship between photosynthesis and calcification. Upon coral reefs, phytoplankton and algal populations assume greater significance. The hermatypic coral harbour filamentous algae in their “skeletal framework” as well as symbiotic zooxanthellae in their soft parts. The imprisoned algae release oxygen during photosynthesis, enough to meet the entire respiratory needs of corals and even spares the surplus production of oxygen. |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station: Mandapam/ Toothukudi |
| Nearest Airport:Madurai |
| Road Transport:Rameshwaram is km away from the park and Ramanathapuram is 40 km away. There are plenty of buses available from both these places to the National Park. . |
| Nearest Petrol Pump:Ramanathapuram ,Tamil Nadu. |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Temple Police Station
Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu |
Nearest Hospital:Pioneer Hospitals (P)
NH 49, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu- 04567 221317Keelakarai Govt. Hospital
Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu |
