Why Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park in news?

For year 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) award, Michel Batisse Award, will be received by Director of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Jagdish S Bakan, for his efforts in Biosphere Reserve Management. He will also present his case study during award ceremony in Paris, France on June 14.

Know all about Gulf of Mannar

Designated as a Biosphere Reserve, the Gulf of Mannar is one of the biologically richest coastal regions in all of mainland of India. It is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in the South and South East Asia.
Location: It is located 160 km between Dhanushkodi and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
This Marine Biosphere Reserve encompasses a chain of 21 islands (2 islands already submerged) and adjoining coral reefs off the coasts.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, established in 1980, boasts three surreal aquatic ecosystems – mangroves, seagrass, and coral reef.

Flora:

The intertidal areas are dominated by mangroves belonging to the Rhizophora, Avicennia, Bruguiera genus.
Seagrass is another prolific species, about 12 species exist here.
About 150 species of seaweeds to are found in the waters. There is one endemic plant, a flowering herb called Pemphis acidula on the parklands.

Fauna:

Dugong, an endangered marine mammal, is the main attraction of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. It has recorded some 117 species of hard Coral. It is home to different vulnerable whales like humpback whales, blue whales, fin whales, etc.

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