Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity

What is the Project About

What is the project about
Photo: Tom Pietrasik/UNDP India

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, home to one of the world’s richest concentrations of marine species is under threat as a result of habitat destruction, over-harvesting of marine resources and civic pollution. In response to the threat, this project, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India demonstrates the possibilities of sustainable community-led conservation of coastal areas, and integration of conservation activities in coastal zone management plans.

What Have We Accomplished So Far

What Have We Accomplished So Far
  • Increase in coral reef cover by five percent between 2005 and 2009 and better protection of biodiversity as a result of joint patrolling, community conservation initiatives and greater awareness of conservation needs

  • 248 village marine conservation and eco-development committees formed with about 77,000 fishermen as members

  • A corpus fund of US$1.5 million created for extending micro finance to members of the committees to pursue alternate livelihoods. This has benefited about 30,000 women members

  • Inputs provided to the government of Tamil Nadu on conservation policies

  • Increased employment in services sector enabled through vocational training to 1,500 youth from fishing communities

  • Increased use of eco-friendly fishing practices through awareness generating activities and training

  • The Tamil Nadu state government has allocated funds from the state budget to support the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust after project completion

Funding Support by



Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme, Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of India

Expenditure in Previous Fiscal Year

US$ 1,076,055

Stories of Change

Easing Troubled Waters: Conserving the Gulf of Mannar’s Biodiversity

Easing Troubled Waters: Conserving the Gulf of Mannar’s Biodiversity
UNDP has partnered with the Government of Tamil Nadu to demonstrate the possibilities of conserving the environment and encouraging sustainable development processes in the Gulf of Mannar.

    

The Biodiversity Challenge - Supporting India’s Ecosystems

The Biodiversity Challenge - Supporting India’s Ecosystems
Recognising India’s rich biodiversity, the United Nations Development Programme is supporting several initiatives to conserve the country’s rich and diverse ecosystems and demonstrate strategies to reduce poverty.

In the News

Project Overview
Status:
Closed
Project Start Date:
2002
End Date:
2009
Geographic Coverage:
Tamil Nadu (Ramanathpuram, Thoothukudi districts)
Focus Area:
Environment & Energy
MDG:
Goal 7 - Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Project Officer:
Lianchawii
Partners:
Department of Environment and Forests, Tamil Nadu; Local non-government organizations and research institutions
Highlights
  • Ecologically significant Gulf of Mannar Reserve is under threat by habitat destruction, over-harvesting of marine resources and rising civic pollution
  • Inputs from project experiences have fed into the Government of India’s Coastal Regulation Notification 2011
  • Joint patrolling and other project initiatives have led to an increase in coral reef cover by five percent between 2005 and 2009
  • 248 village marine conservation and eco-development committees set up
  • Better protection of biodiversity through regular joint patrolling
  • About 30,000 women benefited from corpus fund of US$ 1.5 million, set up to micro finance committee members to pursue alternate livelihoods
  • Inputs provided to the government of Tamil Nadu on conservation policies
  • Increased employment in services sector enabled through vocational training to 1,500 youth
  • Increased use of eco-friendly fishing practices through awareness generating activities
Related Documents
Related Press Release
Climate change is Degrading Marine Habitats and Threatening Fish Supplies Worldwide
Videos
Easing Troubled Waters; Securing Livelihoods - One Day on Earth (11.11.11)


The video follows the lives of fishing communities living in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve, one of India’s bio-diverse rich regions, as they diversify their livelihoods engaged in sustainable fishing practices and conserve the biodiversity that they depend on.

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