Marine Protected Areas is defined as “any area of intertidal or sub tidal terrain
together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical cultural
features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or
all of the enclosed environment” [Resolution 17.38 of the IUCN General Assembly,
1988, reaffirmed in Resolution 19.46 (1994)].
MPAs in India comprise of Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. These MPAs cover
coastal wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, seagrasses beds and other
biologically active resources. All the MPAs in the country are notified under the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Marine Protected Areas in Gujarat:
Among the various coastal states of India, Gujarat has the longest coastline and is
endowed with a variety of floral and faunal resources. The southern coast of Gulf of
Kachchh in particular, boasts of a range of coastal and marine life; and realizing
the importance of this zone, the State Government has declared some part of this
coast as Marine Sanctuary in 1980. In 1982, the area under marine sanctuary was
expanded and some of the areas of the marine sanctuary were raised to the level of
Marine National Park to provide more protection to these areas. Marine Sanctuary
(MS) and Marine National Park (MNP) are two legal units, they are part of the same
ecological area or MPA in the Gulf of Kachchh.Marine Sanctuary (MS) covers an area
of 457.92 sq. km whereas the Marine National Park (MNP) is established in an area of
162.89 sq. km.There are 42 islands, out of which 36 islands are covered under
National Park and rest 6 islands are covered under Sanctuary area. Among these
islands, Ajad & Bet Dwarka are revenue islands where in surrounding inter tidal and
sub tidal area fall under Sanctuary/ National park.
