Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park - India's First Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Ocean.

 

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is the India's first biosphere reserve located in the Gulf of Mannar in the Indian Ocean. This park is a protected area of India established in the country in the year 1980 with group of 21 small and breathtakingly beautiful islands. The Gulf of Mannar endowed with three distinct Coastal ecosystems namely coral reef, seagrass bed and mangroves is  considered one of the world’s richest region from a marine biodiversity perspective, is known for its unique biological wealth and is a store house of marine diversity of global significance. It was established as a National Park in 1986. Since all the twenty-one islands of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park come under the Marine National Park sphere, tourism and related activities are restricted here. Public access and participation inside the park is limited to glass bottom boat rides. It is the core area of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve which includes a 10 km buffer zone around the park, including the populated coastal area. The park includes marine components such as coral reefs, seaweed communities, sea grasses, and mangroves.

 

 

Mangroves dominate the intertidal zones of the park islands. They consist of species of the genera Rhizophora, Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops and Lumnitzera. The flowering herb Pemphis acidula (family Lythraceae) is the only endemic plant species. 12 species of sea grass and 147 species of seaweeds were recorded. This vegetation provides important feeding grounds for vulnerable marine mammals such as the dugong, endangered green turtles and olive ridley turtles. The dugong, a vulnerable marine mammal, is the flagship mammal of the park. It is an important habitat for the cetaceans: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, finless porpoise, spinner dolphin, common dolphin, Risso's dolphin, melon-headed whale, and dwarf sperm whale, Larger whales include sperm whale, minke whale, Bryde's whale, sei whale and critically endangered species including humpback whale, fin whale and blue whale. About 510 of the 2,200 fin fish species in Indian waters are found in the Gulf, making it the most highly diverse fish habitat in India. Coral associated ornamental fishes of the family Chaetodontidae (butterfly fish), parrotfish, Amphiprion spp. (clown fish), Holocentrus spp. (squirrel fish), Scarus spp. (parrot fish), Lutjanus spp. (snappers) and Abudefduf saxatilis (sergeant major) are abundant.

 

 

Other than this, the island is also frequented by migratory birds from all across the globe. Around 180 different kinds of birds can be seen in the park, of which seabirds and warders are the most common. Besides, one can sight rare birds like Crab plovers, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-Necked Phalarope, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red knot, Eastern knot, Dunlin and Long-toed Stint. Thousands of flamingos can also be sighted in the winter months. The beaches of the numerous charming islands at the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park also serve as the feeding ground for five different species of endangered marine turtles, namely the Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green, Leatherback and Loggerhead.

 

 

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park houses a museum which is a must visit for people who want to learn more about the features and wonders of the national park. One can also opt for a glass-bottomed boat ride, and enjoy the beauty and charm of the region. The best time to visit the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is from October to March. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is situated on the Madurai Road in Mandapam, Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu state. The national park is well connected to all major cities by a road network. The nearest railway station is the Rameshwaram railway station, which is located about 7 kilometres away. Numerous government and privately operated vehicles also run to the national park at frequent intervals.

 

 

Timings : 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Time Required : 2-3 hrs.

Entry Fee : Adults: INR 10 and Kids: INR 5

Parking : Free