International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2018): 7.426 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve MA Aathichoodi ML (Business Law), Assistant Professor, School of Excellence in Law, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, MGR Main Road, Taramani, Chen- nai - 600096 (Taramani Campus), Tamilnadu, India Abstract: This study provides guidelines for the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity and for the improvement of the relation between people and their environment globally. Sanctuaries, National parks and Biosphere Reserves are considered as pro- tected areas. There are 13 Biosphere Reserves in India. The program of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under "The man and Biosphere (MAB) "program by UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal or marine ecosystem, or a combination thereof, which are internationally recognized for promoting and demonstrating a balanced relationship between people and nature. This paper focuses on environmental planning of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve which extends from Rameswaram Island to Tuticorin. There are 21 islands running almost parallel to the coastline of Gulf of Mannar. It spreads over an area of 10500 sq. km having 3600 species of flora and fauna. 130 species of corals are found here. This study provides a guideline for sustainable use of resources, activi- ties to be permitted along coastal stretch, coastal highways, and mangroves, reclamation of saline and alkaline soil, coastal pollution, sedimentation, avifauna, settlements, tourism and recommended vegetation. Keywords: Sustainability, Conservation, Biosphere, Marine, Resources 1. Introduction Composition of Gulf of Mannar: The coastal environment is very dynamic with many cyc- Coral reef: lic and random processes owing to a variety of resources and habitats. Further the coastal ecosystems are one of the Coral reefs are a distinctive shoreline habitat of stunning most productive ecosystems on earth. About 60 percent of visual appeal found only between latitudes 30°N and the world population lives near the coast and in one way 30°S. They grow only where sea surface temperatures are or other depends directly or indirectly on the coastal zone above 20°C. Most living coral communities do not grow and its resources. Thus the coastal zone plays a vital role at depths of more than 50m although some grow at depths on the nation’s economy. As a result of increasing human of 100m. They are considered the most productive marine 2 population and the trend for a greater proportion of people ecosystem, supporting as many as 3,000 species . Coral to live close to the sea, the economic activities on coastal reefs form the most dynamic ecosystem providing shelter environment are also increasing. Hence there is an urgent and nourishment to thousands of marine flora and fauna. need to protect the coastal environment and ensure its Coral reefs acts as a critical resource for various environ- sustainable production and development. mental and economical activities. Coral reefs provide an ideal habitat and feeding ground for various marine ani- Gulf of Mannar: mals. Coral reefs act as a bulwark against cyclone, ero- sion, protects coastal installation and beaches. It provides Gulf of Mannar, inlet of the Indian Ocean, between sou- a feeding ground and habitat for various marine animals. theastern India and western Sri Lanka. It is the first bios- Coral reefs absorb CO2 and convert it to CaCO2 and re- phere reserve established on 18th February 1989. It is duce the CO2 in the atmosphere. Coral reefs and sea bounded to the northeast by Rameswaram (island), grasses are interconnected ecosystems. Sea grasses pro- Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), and Mannar vide feeding ground for babyish marine species while cor- Island. The gulf is 80–170 miles (130–275 km) wide and al reefs feeds adult species . 100 miles (160 km) long. It receives several rivers, includ- ing the Tambraparni (India) and the Aruvi (Sri Lanka). Core zone: The port of Tuticorin is on the Indian coast. The gulf is noted for its pearl banks and sacred chank (a gastropod Core zone is a chain of 21 uninhabited islands which is a mollusk). It comprises a chain of 21 islands along a Strictly prohibited area, conservation and monitoring are stretch of 140 km between Rameshwaram and Tuticorin, the functions allowed. Buffer Zone is a strictly delineated which are small and presently uninhabited. These islands area, which is comprised of Gulf waters to the south and and their surrounding waters measuring a total of 560 sq an inhabited coastline to the north. The allowable func- km. has been notified as a National Park on 10th Septem- tions are research, education and tourism and activities ber 1986 under the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, that are managed to protect the core zone. The Transition 1972.1 Area is the Outer area of the buffer zone; functions allow- able are human settlements, research station, traditional 1 www.in.undp.org 2 https://www.researchgate.net Volume 8 Issue 12, December 2019 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Paper ID: ART20203564 DOI: 10.21275/ART20203564 1218 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2018): 7.426 use, education, training, tourism, recreation rehabilitation, endangered dugongs are protected under Schedule-I of the facilities for research. Indian Wild Life Protection Act 1972.3 Mangroves: Ship wreck: Mangroves are termed as tropical tidal wetlands with typi- Ship wreck is regarded as an artificial reef that harbours cal vegetations distributed along the border of the sea and corals, fishes and other fauna. Artificial reefs are benefi- lagoons reaching upon the edges of the rivers to the point cial in reef conservation and rehabilitation efforts. where the water is saline and growing in swampy soils covered by the saline water during high tides. They play a The Offshore Islands:4 role in preventing soil erosion even during tsunami. They are salt tolerant forest ecosystem found in the inner tidal 1. Mandapam Group (7 islands): Shingle, Krusadai, regions. The major threats for mangroves are hyper salini- Pullivasal, Poomarichan, Manoliputti, Manoli, Hare. ty, siltation, tree felling for timber and firewood, human 2. Keezhakkarai group (7 islands): Mulli, Valai, Tha- inhabitation and pollution, embankment construction, aq- laiyari, Appa, Poovarasanpatti (submerged), Valai- uaculture, grazing by cattle/goat, over exploitation of ju- munai and Anaipar. venile fishes, disease, natural calamities (cyclone, storm 3. Vembar Group (3 islands): Nallathanni, Pulivinichalli and flood). The factors that influence mangroves are tem- and Upputhanni. perature, tides, salinity, rainfall and winds. Mangroves are 4. Tuticorin Group (4 islands): Kariyachalli, Vilangu- under pressure due to salt pan conversions, development challi (submerged), Koswari and of ports, aquaculture, increase in population, dumping of 5. Vaan. industrial waste and their effluents leading to loss of man- grove ecosystem. Legal Provisions: Sea shells: I. International Conventions: Sea shells are the marine living organisms which belong 1. Convention on International Trade in Endangered to the family called Mollusca. Commercially many orna- Species of Wild Fauna and Flora:5 mental items are made from these shells. Collection, pos- session and trading of these marine living organisms and CITES recognised that species were driven to extinction their products are happening in this coastal stretch. because of unsustainable exploitation, combined with oth- er factors such as habitat loss. It ensures that international Sea weeds: trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival by means of regulating and moni- Seaweeds are marine algae. They occur in the inter-tidal toring commercial international trade of the same. and sub-tidal regions of the sea. They are very important marine living resources. They are the only source for the 2. United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea:6 production of photo chemicals which are used in food industry, textile industry, paint industry etc. Over exploi- The UNCLOS was convened with the intention of estab- tation of seaweeds indirectly affects the coral reef ecosys- lishing a legal order for the seas and oceans in order to tem, as a result of increasing siltation in sea water. Sea- facilitate international communication, and promote the weeds act as a protective barrier against the wave action. peaceful uses of the seas and oceans, the equitable and Reduction in seaweeds leads to coastal erosion and re- efficient utilization of their resources, the conservation of moval of coral reefs. their living resources, and the study, protection and pre- servation of the marine environment. Sea turtles: 3. Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (CBD): The gulf of Mannar is the only ecosystem in India where all 5 sea turtle species have been reported. Four of the CBD was convened to provide for the conservation of seven species of sea turtles found worldwide are reported biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components to occur in the Gulf of Mannar. and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The CBD rede- Sea cow: fined biological diversity as relating to people and the need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, Dugong dugon is commonly known as sea cow. They are shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to marine mammals with grey colour and a streamlined body live. orientation. They swim slowly and propel themselves us- ing a crescent shaped tail and a pair of flippers. They grow 3 up to a maximum size of 3 meters and 500 kg weight. The www.oceanconservancy.org 4 www.shodhganga.infliblet.ac.in 5 also known as Washington convention came into force on 1st July, 1975. 6 came into force in 1982.