Coast and its importance

Dr. C. Raghunathan
Officer-in-Charge

Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests
ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre
Port Blair-744 102, A & N Islands
 Vishakhapatnam coast

Coast
Coasts are dynamic interface zones
of the atmosphere, land and
sea.
About 50% of the worlds population
lives in within 200km of the
shoreline.
Seacoast attracts for their moderate Chennai coast

climate, seafood, recreational

opportunities, transportation,
commercial establishments,
trade, tourism etc.
Top 10 largest coastal cities of the world
1. Tokyo, Japan - Coastal
2. Mexico City, Mexico Inland
3. Mumbai, India Coastal
4. Sao Paulo, Brazil Inland
5. New York, USA Coastal
6. Shanghai, China Coastal
7. Lagos, Nigeria Costal
8. Los Angeles, USA Coastal
9. Kolkata, India Coastal
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina - Coastal

Coastal city - Chennai

Coastal Terminology

Shore: Zone lies between the lowest tide level and the coastline

Foreshore: Portion of area exposed at low-tide and submerged at

high-tide (= intertidal zone)

Backshore: Extends beyond normal high tide to the coastline

Nearshore: Region between the low-tide shore and breakers

Offshore: Region beyond the low-tide breakers

Beach: Sediment deposit on the shore area

Terminology of coastal regions
 Zones which influence the coastal and marine gamut

Inland areas: Affects the ocean

mainly via rivers and streams
Coastal lands: Wetlands, marshes,
and place where human activity
is concentrated and directly
affects adjacent waters
Coastal waters: Generally estuaries,
lagoons, backwaters, shallow
waters etc. where the effects of
land based activities are
dominant.
Offshore waters: Mainly to the edge
of national jurisdiction i.e. 200
Offshore waters of Chennai
nautical miles
High Seas: Sea beyond the
offshore waters
 Tides
Definition: The periodic rise and fall of the
level of the sea over a given time
interval is called tide.

Diurnal tides: Locations having single low

and high tides per day

Semi-diurnal tides: Those with two high

and low tides per day.

Mixed tides: The height of the low and high

tides varies from day to day as the
positions of the sun and moon change
relatively each other.
Spring tides: Tides with a large range occur
in lunar days.

Neap tides: Tides with a small range that

occur when the moon is in quarter
 Coastal environment of India
Coastline: 7600 km long with maritime states viz. Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry
(UT), Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Islands of
Andaman & Nicobar; and Lakshadweep.

Coastal Belt: Out of the total landmass of 3.28 million sq.km., nearly
0.15 million sq.km. is coastal belt.

Rivers: 14 major, 44 medium and 55 minor rivers that discharge

15,66,000 million cubic metres of freshwater in to the sea.

Among the 14 major rivers, 9 debouches in to Bay of Bengal and 5

confluence in Arabian Sea.
Coastal Environment of India Contd.

Coastal population: 212.5 106

Territorial waters: 0.13 million sq.km.
EEZ: 2.015 million sq. km.
Mangroves: 4639 sq.km.
Estuaries: 3900 sq.km.
Mudflat: 2961 sq.km.
Coastal dunes: 2509 sq. km.
Saltpans: 1617 sq. km.
Lagoon and Backwaters: 2132 sq.km.
River runoff: 1545 cubic km. per day
No. of major coastal industries: 450 (West coast 232; East coast 218)
Indian coastal facilities

Ports and Harbors

Major ports: 11
Intermediate ports: 16
Minor Ports: 78
Ship visit: 10,000 per year
Fishing Harbors
Major: 6
Minor: 35
Fish landing centres: 135
 Types of Shores

Rocky Shore
Sandy Shore
Muddy Shore
Rocky Shore
Intertidal area of seacoast where
solid rocks predominates.
Biologically rich environment.
Zonation
Supra-littoral fringe, Mid-littoral
Zone, Infra-littoral fringe (Sub-
littoral zone)

Factors affecting animals

Wave action sessile, filter
feeding (barnacles, mussel, oyster
etc.)
Desiccation & Water loss
Operculum (gastropods) and
valves (oysters and mussels)
Temperature and Salinity Hard
Shells to tolerate heat (molluscs),
hide in crevices of rock (crab,
sponges)
Rocky shore animals

Sea urchin Turbo

Zoanthid Rock oyster

Sandy Shore
A sandy beach is made up of minute
grains of sand or crushed shells and
rock.
Sandy shores are exciting places with
life in and underneath the water.

Factors affecting animals

Wave action Organisms burrow deeply
and live in it bivalves, shore crabs,
annelids etc.

Sand dollars (echinoderm) accumulates

iron compounds in a special area of
their digestive tract and the iron serves
as a weight belt to keep them down in
the presence of wave action.

Animals buried themselves during day

time in order to avoid heat.
 Sandy shore Molluscs

Oliva Donax Dentallium Cypraea

Sandy shore habitat in intertidal zone
Adaptation of animals in sandy shore
Sandy shore animals
Zonation in Sandy Shore
Muddy Shore
Muddy shores, with their finer
sediment, have smaller interstitial
spaces and these trap organic
matter.
Smaller spaces means that drainage
when the tide drops is less and so
muddy shores hold on to their
water.
Anaerobic condition in the muddy
shore prevails as the exchange of
interstitial water is very poor due to
vey fine particle size of the sand
grain.
Due to the growth of bacteria,
complete depletion of oxygen in the
interstitial area.
Supra-littoral zone of muddy shore
normally mangroves could be seen
Grain size in muddy shore
Water flow circulation in muddy shore sediment
Adaptation of animals in muddy shore

Burrowing into the mud and

feeds through long siphonal
canal Cockles and Clams

Making U shaped burrow

Arenicola and other polychaetes.
One arm of U is remained open
for deposit feeding.

Muddy shore animals are mud

crabs, fiddler crabs, oysters,
bivalves, gastropods
(Telescopium, Cerithium etc.)
annelid worms, fishes-mud
skipper and mud snapper etc.
Muddy shore animals
Epifauna and infauna
 Coastal Ecosystems
Estuarine ecosystem
Lagoon ecosystem
Sand dune ecosystem
Salt marsh ecosystem
Seagrass and seaweed ecosystems
Mangrove ecosystem
Coral reef ecosystems
Estuarine ecosystem
Estuaries are semi-enclosed area
where freshwater and seawater
meet and mix.

Estuaries are subject to wide

fluctuations in salinity

Normally salinity of estuary ranges Adyar estuary

from 0 to 35 ppt.

Major estuaries in India are

Hoogly, Mahanadhi, Godavari,
Krishna, Coleroon, Vellar on the
east coast and Narmada, Tapi,
Mandovi and Zuari estuaries on
the west coast
Profile of an ideal estuary
 Adaptations of an estuarine animals

Euryhaline: Species can

tolerate wide range of
salinity
Stenohaline: species
can tolerate only
narrow range of salinity
Migration: Anadromus
(salmon, smelts, shad)
and Catadromous (Eel)
for spawning purposes
 Importance of Estuaries

Provides a nursery for the larval forms of some marine fish species, and shelter and food for
many young and adult fish and shellfish.

Provides rich feeding grounds for shore birds

Serving as important habitats for wildlife

Estuarine plants also can absorb tide and storm surges, providing ideal habitats for wildlife

This natural buffer helps to prevent erosion and stabilize the coast

Yields commercially important fishery including prawns and crabs.

Provide safe habours for shipping

Tourism
Seagrass and Seaweed Ecosystems
Seagrass meadow, Andaman

Seagrass
Seagrasses occur in the shallow subtidal
regions of sheltered localities of the sea,
gulf, bays, backwaters and lagoon.

Grow in mud flats and sandy regions.

They are submerged monocotyledonous

plants adapted to marine environment for
completion of their life cycle under water.

They occur along the east and west coast of

Indian peninsula and Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.

Occur along 5-15m depth in Indian coast

However, they can grow at more than 32

meters depth. In clear water condition, they
even grow at the depth of 65 meters

Dugong dugon
 Diversity of seagrass

Global composition ranges from 0.1 to 0.2% of

the aquatic flora
60 species described from world oceans
14 species reported from India (Cymodacea rotundata,
Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule pinifolia, H. uninervis,
H. whitii, H. beccarii, H. decipiens, H. ovalis, H. ovata, H. stipulacea,
Syringodium isoetifolium and Thalassia hermprichi)

Gulf of Mannar 13 species

Andaman and Nicobar Islands 9 species
 Significance of seagrass
Provide a habitat for Dugong dugon, only herbivorous marine mammal exist.

Also provide habitats for a wide variety of marine organisms, both plant and
animal; these include meiofauna and flora, benthic flora and fauna, epiphytic
organisms, plankton and fish, not to mention microbial and parasitic organisms.

Feeding ground for dugongs, turtles, fishes and sea urchins

Extraordinarily high rate of primary production.

Serve as a fishing ground, wave protection, oxygen production and protection

against coastal erosion.

Seagrass meadows account for 15% of the oceans total carbon storage. The ocean
currently absorbs 25% of global carbon emissions

It is estimated that seagrasses per square meter are capable of binding about
1000grams of carbon, every year.
 Threats to seagrass ecosystem

Natural threat
Damage to seagrass groups is mostly due to climatic changes, global warming which in turn refers
to changes in oceans salinity levels, shift in water quality, increase in sea surface temperatures,
frequency of natural disasters, and more.

Seagrasses are in global decline, with some 30,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi) lost during recent decades.

Anthropogenic threat

Coastal activities such as ports, harbours, construction, garbage dumps, urban pollution, industrial
dumps, terrestrial erosion, coastal development, breakwaters, fish farming, aquaculture,
eutrophication, siltation, dredging, anchoring, are taking heavy toll on the fragile plants.

Pollution
Excessive input of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) is directly toxic to seagrasses, but most
importantly, it stimulates the growth of epiphytic and free-floating macro- and micro-algae. This
weakens the sunlight, reducing the photosynthesis that nourishes the seagrass and the primary
production results
 Seaweeds
Seaweeds or marine algae prefer
flat and rocky coast gradually
slope towards the sea with a
marked tidal effect.

Distributed from intertidal to

subtidal region of lagoons, bay, Gracillaria sp.
rock pools, creeks of the coast.

India, seaweeds are distributed in

west coast, Andaman and Turbinaria sp.
Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
and in east coast (abundant in
Chilka and Gulf of Mannar)

559 species of seaweeds are

reported from India
Seaweed resources in Indian Coast

State Annual yield (in

tonnes)
Gujarat 19,000 to 1,00,000
Maharashtra 20,000
Goa 2,000
Tamil Nadu 28,550
Lakshadweep 3645-7589
 Importance of seaweeds
Food
Seaweeds are consumed by coastal people, particularly in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Phillippines,
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Indonesia, Peru, Chile, Scandinavia, Ireland and Scotland.

Seaweeds are also harvested or cultivated for the extraction of alginate, agar and carrageenan

Agar is used in foods such as confectionery, meat and poultry products, desserts and beverages and
moulded foods.

Carrageenan is used in salad dressings and sauces, dietetic foods, and as a preservative in meat and fish products,
dairy items and baked goods.

Medicine
Alginates are used in wound dressings, and production of dental moulds.

Agar is extensively used as culture medium.

Carrageenans, alginates and agaroses (the latter are prepared from agar by purification), together with
other lesser-known macroalgal polysaccharides, also have several important biological activities or
applications in biomedicine.

Seaweed is a source of iodine, necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goitre.

Seaweeds may have curative properties for tuberculosis, arthritis, colds and influenza, worm infestations
and even tumors.

Seaweed extract is used in some diet pills. Other seaweed pills exploit the same effect as gastric banding,
expanding in the stomach to make the body feel more full.
Mangrove Ecosystem

Mangroves are tidal forest.

100 species of true mangroves

have been described from the
world.
Mangroves, A&N Islands
Mangrove vegetation
represents trees, shrubs,
herbs, climbers, epiphytes and
parasites.

Mangroves occur 112

countries mainly in the tropical
region of the world with an
area of 1,89,399 sq.km.
Region-wise distribution
of mangroves

Mangroves, A&N Islands

Sl. Region Area %
No. (Sq. Km.)
1. Southeast Asia 75,172 41.4
2. America 45,096 27.1
3. West Africa 27,995 15.4
4. Australia 18,788 10.4
5. East Africa and 10,348 5.7
Middle East
Total 1,81,399 100
 State-wise status of mangroves in India
Sl. State Area (Sq. Km.) No. of species
No.
1. Andhra Pradesh 353 31
2. Goa 17
3. Gujarat and 1047 12
Daman &Diu
4. Karnataka 3 29
5. Kerala 5 27
6. Maharashtra 186 26
7. Orissa 221 60
8. Tamil Nadu & 39 24
Pondicherry
9. West Bengal 2152 57
10. Andaman and 615 44
Nicobar
Total 4639
 Diversity of mangroves in India

No. of species reported: 69 species

under 42 genera and 27 families
East coast: 63 species
West Coast: 37 species
A & N Islands: 44 species

Sonneratia alba

Rhizopora apiculata
 Mangrove fauna of India
(2359 species)

Prawn: 55 species
Crabs: 138 species
Molluscs: 308 species
Insects: 711 species
Fishes: 546 species
Amphibians: 13
species
Reptiles: 85 species
Birds: 433 species
Mammals: 70 species Mangrove trail, A&N Islands
Threatened species of fishes in mangrove ecosystems of India

Sl. Species Family IUCN Status

No.
1. Arius subrostratus Ariidae Vulnerable
2. Boleophthalmus boddarti Gobiidae Vulnerable
3. Boleophthalmus Gobiidae Endangered
dussumieri
4. Scartelaos viridis Gobiidae Endangered
5. Peripthalmus koelreuteri Gobiidae Vulnerable
6. Dasyatis uarnak Trygonidae Vulnerable
7. Elops machnata Elopidae Vulnerable
8. Leiognathus splendens Leiognathidae Vulnerable
9. Muraenichthys schultzei Muraenidae Vulnerable
10. Psammaperca waigiensis Centropomidae Vulnerable
11. Secutor ruconius Leiognathidae Vulnerable
Threatened invertebrates in mangrove ecosystems of India

Sl. Species Family IUCN Status

No.
1. Cardisoma carnifex Gecarcinidae Critically
endangered
2. Gelonia erosa Gelonidae Endangered
3. Macrophthalmus convexus Ocypodidae Endangered
4. Meretrix casta Veneridae Vulnerable
5. Penaeus canaliculatus Palaemonidae Vulnerable
6. Penaeus japonicus Palaemonidae Vulnerable
7. Pilodius nigrocrinitus Xanthidae Endangered
8. Sesarma taeniolata Grapsidae Vulnerable
9. Uca tetragonon Ocypodidae Endangered
Rare, endemic and restricted mangrove species in India
1. Acanthus ebracteatus: Restricted to A&N
2. Aegialitis rotundifolia: Confined to W.B., Orissa and AP
3. Aglaia cuculata: Restricted to W.B. and Orissa
4. Brownlowia tersa: Restricted to W.B., Orissa and AP
5. Heritiera fomes: Restricted to W.B. and Orissa
6. Heritiera kanikensis: Endemic to Bhitarkanika
7. Lumnitzera littorea: Restricted to A & N
8. Merope angulata: Confined to W.B. and Orissa
9. Nypa fruticans: Restricted to W.B. and A&N
10. Phoenix paludosa: Restricted to A&N and AP
11. Rhizophora annamalayana: Endemic to Pitchavaram
12. Rhizophora stylosa: Confined to Orissa
13. Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea: Restricted to A&N and AP
14. Sonneratia apetala: Rare in several areas
15. Sonneratia griffithii: Restricted to W.B, Orissa and A&N
16. Tylophora tenuis: Restricted to W.B. and Orissa
17. Urochondra setulosa: Endemic to Gujarat
18. Thespesia pipulneoides: Restricted to West Bengal and Orissa
19. Xylocarpus makongensis: Restricted to W.B., Orissa, A&N
20. Xylocarpus mollucensis: Restricted to A&N
 Threats to Mangroves
1. Cattle grazing: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat
2. Exploitation for fire wood and wood:
TN, GUJ
3. Urbanization: Mumbai
4. Reclamation for Agriculture: W.B,
Orissa, AP, Kerala
5. Aquaculture: WB, AP
6. Construction of bridges: WB, TN, AP,
GUJ, MH
7. Port and Harbour development: GUJ,
WB, MH
8. Hyper salinity: GUJ, TN, WB
9. Siltation and Sedimentation: River and
land run-off
10. Natural calamities: Cyclone, Tidal
waves (Tsunami)
11. Pollution: industrial, pesticide, oil
Coral Reef Ecosystem
 Acropora monticulosa

Coral Reef Ecosystem

Restricted to warm seas, essentially between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, where
minimum water temperature do not fall below 20C

Their occurrence limited to 0.2% of the ocean area on the earths surface, have globally
important implication for their amazing marine biodiversity

Providing critical habitats to approximately 25% of marine organisms

Although various types of corals can be found from the water's surface to depths of 6,000 m,
reef- building corals are generally found at depths of less than 46 m, where sunlight penetrates.

Massive corals grow from 0.5 cm to 2 cm per year. However, under favourable conditions (high
light exposure, consistent temperature, moderate wave action), some species can grow as
much as 4.5 cm per year. In contrast to the massive species, branching colonies can grow
vertically by as much as 10 cm per year.
 Global Distribution of Coral Reefs
Coral reef cover of the world is estimated as 600,000 km2 (Smith, 1978;
Klepays, 1997)
Mediterranean Indian Ocean: 54% , Pacific Ocean: 25%, Atlantic Ocean: 6%
Caribbean Sea: 9%, Red Sea: 4%, Persian Gulf: 2%
 Distribution of Coral Reefs in India

Estimated coral cover in India is 5730 km2

Major reef areas are A&N Islands,
Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Katchchh,
Lakshadweep , Malvan coast and Orissa coast.
 Diversity of Scleractinian Corals in A&N Islands and other reefs of India
Sl No. Family A & N Islands Gulf of Mannar Lakshadweep Gulf of Katchchh
Islands
1. Astrocoeniidae 03 (02) 1(1) - -
2. Pocilloporidae 14 (03) 3(1) 5(2) -
3. Acroporidae 146 (04) 31(3) 28(3) 7 (2)
4. Poritidae 39 (03) 10(2) 9 (3) 6(2)
5. Siderasteridae 12 (04) 3(3) 4(1) 4(4)
6. Agariciidae 28 (05) 5(2) 4(2) -
7. Fungiidae 44 (11) 1(1) 6(4) -
8. Oculinidae 04 (01) 2(1) 2(1) -
9. Pectinidae 13 (04) 1(1) - 1(1)
10. Mussidae 21 (05) 1(1) 3(3) 2(2)
11. Merulinidae 08 (03) 2(2) 2(2) 1(1)
12. Faviidae 82 (16) 20(9) 26(11) 13(7)
13. Euphyllidae 07 (03) - 1(1) -
14. Dendrophyllidae 08 (02) 2(1) 1(1) 2(1)
15. Meandrinidae 01 (01) - - -

16. Trachyphylliidae 01 (01) - - -

17. Rhizangiidae - - - -
18. Caryphyllidae 02 (02) - - -
TOTAL 433 (72) 117(28) 104(34) 36(20)
Diversity of Corals in A&N Islands in comparison with global report
World A&N Islands Approx. Depth
Sl. No Family
Genus Species Genus Species (m)
1 Acroporidae 4 275 4 146 2-35
2 Astrocoeniidae 4 14 2 03 3-4
3 Pocilloporidae 3 31 3 14 0.5-15
4 Euphyllidae 5 16 3 07 5-18
5 Oculinidae 4 15 1 04 0.5-20
6 Meandrinidae 7 9 1 01 3-8
7 Siderastreidae 6 29 4 12 4-13
8 Agariciidae 6 45 5 28 2-15
9 Fungiidae 13 56 11 44 1-25
10 Rhizangiidae 2 2 - - -
11 Pectiniidae 5 30 4 13 4-28
12 Merulinidae 5 12 3 8 3-12
13 Dendrophyllidae 5 18 2 8 2-15
14 Caryphylliidae 1 1 1 2 3-9
15 Mussidae 13 56 5 21 2-15
16 Faviidae 24 132 16 82 0.5-30
17 Trachyphylliidae 1 1 1 01 8-18
18 Poritidae 5 84 3 39 0.5-20
Total 112 828 72 433
 Types of Reefs in A&N Islands
Fringing Reef: Form along the edges of continental shelf around islands, close to
the shore.
Barrier Reef: Form along the edges of continental shelf and are separated from
island or mainland by a wide and deep lagoon.
TYPES OF CORAL GROWTH FORMS
Digitate: Colony, which has
short tapper or dome
shaped thick branches with
uniform height. Usually the
branches produced from a
common thick basal plate.
Eg: Acropora monticulosa
Branching: A descriptive
term for a branch is, with
compact radial sub-
branches. Eg: Acropora
aspera
Corymbose: Colonies
forms thin upright
branches without basal
plate. Eg: Acropora
nasuta
Bottle brush: The
arborescent branches have
numerous and uniformly
elongate radial and axial
corallites, hence colony
looks like a bottle brush
shape Eg: Acropora
subglabra
Table: the colony will
grow horizontal with
fused and small upturned
braches, forming porous
or thick plates. Often
they will not produce in
down side. Eg: Acropora
hyacinthus
Sub massive: Colonies
which form small
columns, knobs, mounds
or wedges. Eg. Stylophora
pistillata
 Encrusting: Coral colonies which are form a thin
Massive: Colonies are solid, boulder or helmets shaped layer or crust over underlying substratum. Eg:
and are typically hermatypical, 60% A&N Islands reefs Montipora sp.
covered by massive corals. Eg: Porites lutea

Foliose: Coral colonies attached at one or

Solitary: Corals composed of single more points, leaf-life or plate like in
individual and some coral can move little appearance. Eg: Echinopora sp.
distance. Eg: Fungia sp.
 TYPES OF CORALLITES

Ceroid: Adjacent corallites

share the same wall. Eg:
Favites
Meandroid: In massive
colonies that have corallite
mouths aligned in valleys,
these valleys separate by
reticulated walls and there
are no individual polyps. Eg:
Symphyllia

Placoid: Each corallite has its

own separate wall. Eg: Favia

Hydnophoroid: Septa fusing

to form monticules or mould
like structures. Eg:
Hydnophora

Phaceloid: Coral that have

corallite of uniform height
adjoined towards their base.
Eg: Dendrophyllia
Diplostrea heliopora (Lamarck, 1816) Galaxea fascicularis (Linnaeus, 1767) Favia matthaii Vaughan, 1918

Platygyra sinensis
Favia maxima Veron and Pichon, 1977 Goniastrea edwardsi Chevalier, 1971
(Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849)
Location marks of Permanent Monitoring Plots
1. North reef Island

Ritchie's archipelago
2. Outram Island
3. Henry Lawrence Island
4. John Lawrence Island

5. North Bay

Mahatma Gandhi Marine

National Park

6. Grub island
7. Tarmugli Island
8. Jolly buoy Island

9. Hut Bay

10. Great Nicobar Biosphere reserve

Permanent Plots for Coral Reef Monitoring

Ten plots (100 x 100m area for each plot) were selected for the permanent monitoring of
corals in A& N Islands
Parameters under observation
1. Live coral cover
2. Diversity and distribution
3. Primary and secondary productivities
4. Growth rate
5. Water quality parameters
 Live coral cover(%) in A&N Islands
30.38 - 57.63%

70
Live coral

60

57.63

50 53.34
50.46
47.68

40
Percentage

41.29
38.86
35.86
30
30.38

20

10

0
South Andaman Little Andaman Ritchie's Middle North Andaman Car Nicobar Nancowry Island Great Nicobar
Archipelago Andaman Island Island
 Density of Corals in A& N Islands (Colonies./10 sq.m.)

35
28.93
30
25 23.45 20.31 21.5 22.58 23.33
19.38 19.32
20
15
10
5
0
 Corals of Great Nicobar Island

Acropora hyacinthus Plerogyra sinuosa Acropora polystoma

Acropora monticulosa Montipora danae Tubastraea daiphana

Acropora humilis
Pocillopora varrucosa
Fungia scabra
Corals of Rutland Island

Acropora cerealis Acropora fastigata Oulophyllia crispa Pocillopora damicornis

Ctenactis echinata Seriatopora hystrix Acropora digitifera Acropora tenuis

Lobophyllia hemprichii Acropora insignis Pocillopora meandrina Montipora informis

 Corals of Rutland Island

Seriatopora hystrix Dana, Lobophyllia hemprichii Leptoria irregularis* Leptoria phrygia

1846 (Ehrenberg, 1834) Veron, 1990 (Ellis and Solander, 1786)

Pectinia lactuca Hydnophora microconus Hydnophora rigida Echinopora lamellosa

(Pallas, 1766) (Lamarck, 1816) (Dana,1846) (Esper,1795)

Favia matthaii Vaughan, 1918 Favia speciosa Dana, Favia pallida Symphyllia agaricia
1846 (Dana, 1846) Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849
 Corals of Little Nicobar Island

Pocillopora kelleheri Porites myrmidoensis Seriatopora aculeata Tubastraea faulkneri

Veron, 2000 Veron, 1985 Quelch, 1886 (Wells, 1982)

Porites annae Tubastrea daiphana Porites eridani Fungia taiwanensis

Crossland, 1952 (Dana, 1846) Umbgrove, 1940 Hoeksema and Dai,1991
 Corals of RJMNP

Favia matthaii Platygyra pini Porites lobata

Fungia rependa Favites abdita Diploastrea heliopora

 Coral reef cover in selected Islands of A&N Islands
(Satellite data)

Island Coral reef Area (sq. km .)

North Reef Island 15.53
Rani Jhansi Marine 27.15
National Park
(John Lawrence,
Henry Lawrence
and Outram
Islands)
Cinque Island 6.78
Little Andaman 58.29
Island
Great Nicobar 30.81
Island
Coral Reef cover in North Reef Island

North Reef Island (Area in Sq Km)

15.53

2.58
0.14 1.11

Forest Mud Flat Sandy area Reef area

Cinque Island

Cinque Island (Area in Sq Km)

6.78
4.55

0.86 0.67 0.62

0.058
Coral reef cover in RJMNP

Rani Janshi Marine National Park

(Area in Sq Km)
86.13

27.15
18.89
7.45

Forest Mangrove Sandy area Reef area

Little Andaman Island

Little Andaman Island

(Area in Sq Km)
618.75

39.05 7.27 58.29 2.46 0.16 11.25 4.45

Great Nicobar Island

Great Nicobar Island (Area in Sq Km)

935.21

16.86 10.25 30.81 0.17 0.25 0.09

Coral Associated
Organisms
 Coral Associate: Echinoderm diversity in A&N Islands

Species composition:
World: 7000 species, India: 765 species
A&N Is.: 432 species, 244 genera and 86 families

Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 19 36 58 4.17

Little Andaman 7 15 28 3.12

Ritchies 14 25 47 3.64
Archipelago
Middle Andaman 5 18 35 3.45

North Andaman 4 20 42 3.60

Car Nicobar Island 5 14 22 2.86

Nancowry Islands 8 18 34 3.19

Great Nicobar Is. 9 22 39 3.50

TOTAL 51 159 340 4.37

Density (No./10 sq.m.) of Echinoderms in A&N Islands

70
60 57.32 54.28
50 44.42
40.13
40 36.2
32.72
30
21.03 21.33
20
10
0
Echinoderms - Holothurians
Bahadschia argus
Actinopyga lecanora Actinopyga mauritiana Actinopyga miliaris

Bahadschia marmorata
Holothuria (Acanthotrapeza)
coluber

Euapta godreffroyi Holothuria (Halodeima) edulis

Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis Stichopus chloronotus Stichopus vastus

Holothuria pervicax

Stichoupus hermani
Synapta maculata Thelenota ananas

Holothuria pyxis Selenka

 Echinoderms Asteroids, Ophiuroids and Crinoids
Culcita schmideliana Linckia guildingi Gray Linckia guildingi Gray
Ophiarachna incrassta

Ophiocoma valenciae Opiothrix spiculata

Asterina seasini (de Lorid)

Ophianastix annulosa

Coenometra emendatrix (Bell)

Anthenea tuberculosa Gray, 1847 Astropecten indicus Doderlein

Coenometra emendatrix (Bell)

 Echinoderms of RJMNP

Prionocidaris verticillata Echinothrix diadema Arbacia punctulata

Echinothirx mathaei Tripneustes gratilla

Diadema savignyi

Stomopneustes variolaris
Mespilia globulus
Echinoderms of Great Nicobar Island

Oxycomanthus bennetti Oxycomanthus benneti Comanthus parvicirrus

Comanthina nobilis Acanthaster planci

Coral Associate: Molluscan diversity in A&N Islands
Species composition:
World: 56235 species, India: 3271 species, 591 genera and 220 families
A&N Is.: 1282 species, 372 genera and 145 families

Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 52 136 296 3.89

Little Andaman 46 120 234 3.85

Ritchies 50 96 275 4.15

Archipelago
Middle Andaman 38 90 233 3.71

North Andaman 25 82 186 2.15

Car Nicobar Island 13 32 68 2.01

Nancowry Islands 25 102 182 2.46

Great Nicobar Is. 30 96 186 2.51

TOTAL 66 156 387 4.15

 Density (No./10sq.m) of Molluscs in A&N Islands

45 40.38 39.13 37.33

40 36.57 35.5
35 32.75
30
25 23.04
20
15
10
5
0
Molluscs of South Andaman
Bursa granularis Mentellum hains Gmelin

Lambis (Harpago) chiragra chiragra

Tridacna gigas
Pleuroploca filamentosa
Conus geographus

Cypraea (Mauritia) mauritiana regina

Turbo (Marmarostoma) crassus Tridacna gigas
Molluscs of Great Nicobar Island

Conus eburneus Linnaues, 1758 Acanthopleura spiniger (Sowerby, 1840) Bursa granularis (Roding, 1798)

Conus ebraeus Linnaeus, 1758 Conus mutabilis Reeve, 1844 Conus nussatella Linnaeus, 1758

Cypraea (Mauritia) arabica Cypraea (Mauritia) arabica

(Linnaeus, 1758) (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cypraea moneta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Molluscs of North Andaman
Cypraea errones
Cypraea erosa
Cypraea (Monetaria) moneta

Conus capitaneus Conus episcopus Conus striatus

Haliotis asiana Thais hippocastanum Morula nodicostata

 Molluscs of RJMNP

Cypraea erosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Cypraea isabella Linnaeus, 1758 Cypraea mappa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus, 1758 Nerita maxima Linnaeus, 1791 Angaria delphinus nodosa (Reeve,1846)

Trochus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1767) Calpurnus verrucosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Bulla ampula Linnaeus, 1758

Nerita albicilla albicilla Linnaeus,1758 Naticarius onca (Roeding, 1798) Bursa granularis (Roeding, 1798)
 Molluscs of RJMNP

Cassis cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758) Conus pennaceus Born, 1778 Conus striolatus Kiener, 1845

Murex trapa Roeding, 1798 Gemmula unedo(Kiener, 1840) Lambis lambis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hebra subspinosa (Lamarck, 1822) Nassarius nodifer Powys, 1835 Cerithium Columna (Sowerby, 1834)
 Diversity of Nudibranchs in A&N Islands
Species composition:
World: 4000 species, India: 320 species
A&N Is.: 240 species

Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 15 28 90 1.35

Little Andaman 6 8 10 1.52

Ritchies 10 24 55 2.01
Archipelago
Middle Andaman 6 9 12 1.66

North Andaman 3 5 7 1.25

Car Nicobar Island 7 9 10 1.34

Nancowry Islands 2 2 25 1.10

Great Nicobar Is. 3 5 9 1.41

TOTAL 45 73 240 3.19

Nudibranchs - RJMNP

Bornella anguilla Johnson, Bornella stellifer (Adams and Chelidonura hirundinina

Aldisa erwinkoehleri Perrone,
1984 Reeve in Adams, 1848 ) (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)
2000

Chromodoris hintuanensis Chromodoris geometrica Chromodoris conchyliata Chromodoris colemani

Gosliner & Behrens, 1998 Risbec, 1928 Yonow, 1984 Rudman, 1982

Chromodoris sinensis Chromodoris strigata Dermatobranchus cf Durvilledoris pusilla (Bergh,

Rudman, 1985 Rudman, 1982 semistriatus Baba, 1949 1874)
 Nudibranchs

Hypselodoris maridadilus Hypselodoris infucata Glossodoris pallida (Ruppell Flabellina rubrolineata

Rudman, 1977 (Ruppell & Leuckart, 1828) and Leuckart, 1830) (O'Donoghue, 1929)

Phyllidia elegans Bergh, 1869 Phyllaplysia engeli Marcus, Phidiana indica (Bergh, 1896) Okenia kendi Gosliner, 2004
1955

Phyllidiopsis annae Phyllidiopsis krempfi Pruvot- Sebadoris nubilosa (Pease, Tambja morosa (Bergh, 1877)
Brunckhorst, 1993 Fol, 1957 1871)
Nudibranchs of Ritchies Archipelago

Phyllidia ocellata Flabellina exoptata Gymnodoris striata Nembrotha lineolata

Glossodoris hikuerensis Glossodoris cincta Hypselodoris krakatoa Chromodoris geminus

Hypselodoris sagamiensis Hypselodoris zebrina Mexichromis multituberculata Phidiana militaris

 Nudibranchs of South Andaman

Philinopsis pilsbryi Chelidoneura sandrana Berthella martensi Chromodoris elizabethina

Philinopsis speciosa Syphonota geographica Elysia ornata Halgerda stricklandi

Micromelo guamensis Halgerda balacusia Halgerda tesselata Ceratosoma trilobatum

 Nudibranchs of Middle Andaman

Phyllidiella zeylanica Chromodoris striatella Hypselodoris maculosa Cerberilla annulata

(Kelaart, 1859) Bergh, 1876 (Pease, 1871) (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Phyllidia coelestis Phyllidia madangensis Phyllidiella cooraburrama Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis

Bergh, 1905 Brunckhorst, 1993 Brunckhorst, 1993 Brunckhorst, 1993

Risbecia pulchella Glossodoris atromarginata Jorunna rubescens Gymnodoris rubropapulosa

(Ruppell & Leuckart, 1828) (Cuvier, 1804) Bergh, 1876 (Bergh, 1905)
 Polyclads - 31 species
Pseudoceros goslineri Phrikoceros mopsus (Marcus,
Newman and Cannon, 1994. 1952)

Pseudoceros gamblei Pseudobiceros uniarborensis Pseudoceros concinnus Pseudobiceros stellae

Laidlaw, 1903. Newman and Cannon, 1994 (Collingwood, 1867) Newman and Cannon, 1994

Pseudobiceros damawan Pseudoceros bifurcus Cycloporus venetus Newman Pseudobiceros flavocanthus

Newman and Cannon, 1994. Prudhoe, 1989. and Cannon, 2002 Newman and Cannon, 1994
 Diversity of Sponges in A&N Islands
Species composition:
World: 8343 species, 668 genera and 131 families
India: 454 species, 172 genera and 65 families
A&N Is.: 86 species, 58 genera and 39 families
Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 9 13 14 1.60

Little Andaman 9 12 13 1.59

Ritchies 9 14 15 1.74
Archipelago
Middle Andaman 8 13 14 1.58

North Andaman 7 9 10 1.45

Car Nicobar Island 8 10 10 1.52

Nancowry Islands 10 14 15 1.78

Great Nicobar Is. 6 10 11 1.12

TOTAL 12 16 53 3.12
 Sponges in Inglis Island

Ananchora sp.
Cinachyra australiensis Xestospongia sp.

Chalinula nematifera Hyrtios erecta

Stylotella sp

Stylissa sp. Liosina paradoxa Paratetilla bacca

 Sponges of Car Nicobar Island

Acanthella klethra Pulitzer- Ircinia strobilina (Lamark, 1816) Gelliodes fibulatus (Carter,
Finali, 1982 Depth: 5-15m 1881)
Depth: 3-25m Depth: 5-20m

Crella (Grayella) cyathophora Carteriospongia foliascens Chalinula nematifera (de

Carter, 1869 (Pallas, 1776) Laubenfels, 1954)
Depth: 0.5-4m Depth: 1-15m Depth: 1-15m

Lamellodysidae herbacea Liosina paradoxa Thiele, 1899 Ecionemia acervus Bowerbank

(Keller, 1889) Depth: 1-6m 1864
Depth: 0.5-10m Depth: 0.5-2m
 Sponges of RJMNP

Stylissa carteri (Dendy, 1889) Rhabdastrella globostellata Xestospongia testudinaria

Depth: 2-20m (Carter, 1883) Lamark, 1815
Depth: 4-10m Depth: 5-30m

Oceanapia sagittaria (Sollas, Pseudoceratina purpurea (Carter, Paratetilla bacca (Selenka, 1867)
1902) 1880) Depth: 0.5-10m
Depth: 1-5m Depth: 0.5-2m

Scopalina ruetzleri Tethya repens Schmidt, 1870 Hyrtios erectus Monanchora arbuscula
(Wiedenmayer, 1977) Depth: Intertidal (Keller, 1889) (Duchassaing and
Depth: 5-15m Depth: 0.5-5m Michelotti, 1864)
Depth: 3-8m
 Diversity of Gorgonians in A&N Islands
Species composition:
World: 408 species, 229 genera and 29 families
India: 89 species, 37 genera and 11 families
A&N Is.: 72 species, 14 genera and 11 families
Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 3 7 19 1.62

Little Andaman 2 3 11 1.51

Ritchies 8 14 14 1.58
Archipelago
Middle Andaman 7 8 16 1.25

North Andaman 5 7 10 1.01

Car Nicobar Island 6 6 6 0.86

Nancowry Islands 5 5 17 1.67

Great Nicobar Is. 2 3 7 0.52

TOTAL 12 29 58 2.68
 Gorgonids of Ritchies Archipelago

Menella sp Euplexaura sp.

Menella sp .

Isis sp. Rumphella sp.

Isis sp.

Nicella sp. Echinogorgia sp.

Ellisella sp.
 Gorgonids in RJMP

Rumphella antipathies (Linnaeus 1758) Echinogorgia flora Nutting, 1910 Junceella juncea (Pallas, 1766)

Menella indica Gray, 1870 Nicella flabellata (Whitelegge, 1897) Menella sp

Diversity of Soft Corals in A&N Islands
Species composition:
India: 221species
A&N Is.: 221species

Zone Family Genera Species

South Andaman 3 6 6

Little Andaman 3 6 6

Ritchies 2 3 3
Archipelago
Middle Andaman 2 2 3

North Andaman 2 3 3

Car Nicobar Island 2 3 3

Nancowry Islands 2 4 4

Great Nicobar Is. 2 3 3

TOTAL 3 8 18
 )

Parisis sp. (Verrill, 1864) Wrightella sp. (Gray, 1870) Lobophytum sp. (Marenzeller, 1886)

Cladiella sp. (Gray, 1869)

Annella sp. (Gray, 1858) Sarcophyton sp. (Lesson, 1834),

Soft corals of A&N Is.

Rhytisma sp.(Alderslade, 2000) Dendronephthya sp. (Kukenthal, 1905)

Alcyonaceans (Soft Corals) of RJMNP - 17 species / 8 genera

Lobophytum sp. Lobophytum sp Sartophyton sp.

Sinularia sp. Sartophyton sp. Sartophyton sp.

 Diversity of Fishes in A&N Islands
Species composition:
World: 22200 species
India: 2546 species
A&N Is.: 1463 species, 600 genera, 176 families
Zone Family Genera Species Sp. Diversity(H)

South Andaman 39 91 166 4.28

Little Andaman 36 78 138 2.13

Ritchies 38 93 216 2.45

Archipelago
Middle Andaman 39 91 179 3.04

North Andaman 35 73 109 1.87

Car Nicobar Island 42 90 144 3.39

Nancowry Islands 38 86 139 3.18

Great Nicobar Is. 43 103 193 4.36

TOTAL 46 119 469 4.87

 Reef Fishes of South Andaman

Pterois antennata Thalassoma lunare Scolopsis lineatus Stegastes nigricans

(Bloch,1787) (Linnaeus,1758) Quoy & Gaimard,1824 (Lacepede,1802)

Pomacanthus semicirculatus Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus Pomacentrus moluccensis Upeneus vittatus

(Cuvier,1831) (Cuvier,1830) Bleeker,1853 (Forsskal,1775)

Apogon leptacanthus Apogon cyanosoma Amphiprion ocellaris Amphiprion akallopisos

Bleeker, 1856 Bleeker,1853 Cuvier,1830 Bleeker,1853.
 Reef Fishes of Great Nicobar Island

Eviota albolineata Eviota prasina (Klunzinger, Eviota sebreei Exallias brevis

Jewett & Lachner, 1983 1871) Jordan & Seale, 1906 (Kner, 1868)

Helcogramma striatum Hansen, Heniochus pleurotaenia Naso elegans Plagiotremus phenax

1986 Ahl, 1923 (Rppell, 1829) Smith-Vaniz, 1976

Plectorhinchus albovittatus Pomacentrus lepidogenys Fowler Priolepis compita Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828)
(Ruppell,1838) & Ball, 1928 Winterbottom, 1985
 Phytoplankton Diversity
77 species
Cell Count: 58.52 to 115.03 102 L-1
Sp. Diversity: 2.02 2. 97
54
54

52 51

50

48 47

46 45

44

42

40
South & Little Ritchie's Middle & North Nicobar Islands
Andaman Archipelago Andaman
 Phytoplankton of A&N Islands

Ceratium macroceros Ballarochea malleus Cossinodiscus centralis

Triceratium alternans Triceratium pentacranium Hemidiscus hardmanian

Cheatoceras indicus Rhoicosigma robustum Nitzschia longissima

Zooplankton Diversity Fresh wt.: 2180 - 3450 mg/100m3
Dry wt. : 567 - 935 mg/100m3
96 species
Volume : 5.3 - 8.1 ml/100m3
Sp. Diversity: 1.18 -2.89

80 80
65 65
60 67

40

20

0
South & Little
Ritchie's
Andaman Middle &
Archipelago Nicobar
North
Andaman Islands
 e 10
i 15
c 20
e 25
p 30
S 35
40

0
s 5
2
Amphipods

2
Annelid larvae

1
Appendicularians

8
Chaetognaths

3
Cladocerans
37

Copepods

4
Crustacean larva

1
Doliolids
Echionoderm 2
19

Foraminiferans
1

Isopods
1

Leptomedusae
5

Molluscs
1

Ophisthobranchs
3

Ostractods
1

Pisces
1

Radiolarians
2

Salpids
Zooplankton Species Composition in A&N Is.

Siphonophores
 Zooplankton of A&N Islands

Microsetella norvegica Euterpina acutiferans Macrosetella occulata

Planispirenella exiquta
Sphaerogypsina globules Nauplii

Mugil cephalus Chirocentrus dorab Carangoides malabaricus

Other Coral Associated faunal groups of A&N Islands

Crustaceans - 830 sp. Bispira brunnea

Ascidians 9 sp.
Polychaetes 48 sp.
Sea anemones - 24
sp.

Didemnum molle

Clavinella moluccensis
Threats to Coral Reefs of A & N Islands
Natural Threats
Rise in surface seawater temperature (El Nino) triggered the coral bleaching
Sedimentation due to land and river run off increasing the turbidity of the
water column which prevents the symbiotic algae from capturing sunlight,
which is the corals primary source of energy and nutrition.
Coral diseases caused by microbes leads to the mortality of corals
Earthquakes and tidal waves (tsunami) damages the reefs
Predation by Crown-of-Thorn Sea star Acanthaster planci

Anthropogenic Threats
Marine Pollution caused by domestic and municipal sewages etc.
Oil pollution and oil spillages
Pesticide pollution due to agricultural activities
Indiscriminate fishing in the coral reef zone by operating trawl and gill nets
Damages due to anchorage of vessels
Unorganized tourism
 Natural Threats
1. Impact of Earthquake cum Tsunami on Coral Reefs of A&N

A massive earthquake cum tsunami struck on 26th December

2004 caused heavy destruction to the coral reefs of A&N
Islands

Impact
The islands of North and Middle Andaman are uplifted 1m
above sea level permanently
The Islands of Nicobar group submerged and sea level raised
about 1.9m.
Damages due to tsunami are
1. Total erosion or breaking up of reefs in Andaman Islands
2. Deposition of sand, mud and detritus on reefs in Nicobar
Islands
Sea level raise in Katchall Island, Nicobar
Uplifted Coral Reefs in North Andaman - Landfall Island
 Loss of Coral Reef

A total loss of coral reefs in Andaman Islands was

22978ha and in Nicobar Islands it was 17180ha
(SAC, 2005)

North and Middle Andaman reefs are uplifted about 1

metre and exposed permanently due to earthquake
leads to 30% loss of coral cover (ZSI, 2006)

20% loss of coral reefs found in South Andaman (ZSI,

2006)
Coral Bleaching (April to May 2010) : 45-78%.

90
80
70 78
73.25
Percentage

60 64.21 64
50 54.27 57.94
40 52.13
45
30
20
10
0
Coral Bleaching in Rutland Island

Acropora microphthalma (Verrill, 1859) Acropora nobilis (Dana 1846) Stylophora pistillata (Esper,1797)

Symphyllia radians Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849 Lobophyllia hemprichii (Ehrenberg, 1834)
Porites solida (Forskal, 1775)
 Coral Bleaching in Great Nicobar Island

Acropora formosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Porites solida (Forskal, 1775)

Stylophora pistillata (Esper,1797) Goniastrea edwardsi Chevalier,1971 Pocillopora eydouxi

Predation by Butterfly fishes & Parrot fishes (66 species in A&N Is.)
Predation by Crown-of-Thorn Starfish Acanthester planci
Coral Diseases

White Pox
White plague

White band
Pink spot
 Anthropogenic Threats
1. Fishing

2. Debris
2. Tourism
 Coastal Fisheries
Of the 13,200 known species of
marine fishes, 80% are coastal

Marine Fishery Potential of EEZ

is 3.934 million tonnes

Demersal 20.17 lakh tonnes

Pelagic 16.73 lakh tonnes

Oceanic - 2.44 lakh tonnes

Deep sea 1.01 lakh tonnes

 Fish production in India

Fishing villages: 3638

Fish landing centres: 2251
Fishermen population: 5.8 million
Total marine fish production: 2.692 million
tonnes/yr.
West coast: 68% contribution
East coast: 32% contribution
 Coastal Tourism
West Bengal Digha Beach
Orissa Gopalpur, Chandipur, Konark,
Paradip, Puri,
Karnataka Karwar, Malpe Maravanthe,
Murudeshwar, Bhatkal
Tamil Nadu Marina, Mahaballipuram,
Rameswaram, Covelong, Kanyakumari
Pondicherry Serenity Beach, Paradise Beach
Goa - 13 beaches
Kerala Kovalam, Kumarokom beach, Andaman & Nicobar
Alappuzha, Fort Kochi Beach
Gujarat Gopnath, Somnath, Veraval,
Ahmedpur Mandvi, Beyt Dwarka, Chorward
Maharashtra Mumbai
Andaman & Nicobar Havelock, Karmatang,
Corbyns
Lakshadweep
Andhra Pradesh Vishakhapatnam, Nellore,
Mypad, Vodarevu
Ecological significance of coast in maritime
states of India
State Coastline Ecologically Sensitive areas

Tamil Nadu 860 km Coral reefs (Gulf of Mannar), Mangroves (Pitchavaram,

Muthupet),
Pearl oyster beds (Tuticorin)
Andhra Pradesh 930 km Lagoon (Pulicat), Mangroves (Krishna, Godavari)

Orissa 450 km Turtle nesting beaches, Crocodile sanctuary, Lagoon (Chilka),

Living fossil - Horse-shoe crabs, Coral Reef
West Bengal 220 km Sunderban mangroves, swamp and backwaters

Kerala 560 km Backwaters, Asthamudi and Vembanad lakes

Karnataka 290 km Wildlife and Mangroves

Maharashtra 720 km Marine Sanctuary at Malvan

Gujarat 1663 km Coral reefs, Mangroves in Gulf of Katchchh, Rann of Katchchh

A& N Islands 1926 km 572 islands, coral reefs, mangroves, 96 wildlife sanctuaries, 9
national parks, 1 biosphere reserve
Lakshadweep 192 km Coral Reefs, Atolls
 Human uses of Coastal Zone

Zone Coastal features Uses

Offshore Continental Shelf Fishing, Oil exploration, Mining, Dumping of
wastes, sewage outfalls.
Coral reefs Tourism, Fishing, Quarrying
Nearshore Beaches Recreation, sand, gravel mining, resorts,
Wetlands Aquaculture, Reclamation, Grazing
Shore platform Seafood hunting, quarrying
Backshore Dunes Recreation, Golf courses, Building, water
Zone extraction
Cliffs Shore protection, Building, Mining
Inshore Coastline Ports and harbours, Marinas, Housing,
Industry, Agriculture, Tourism
 Coastal Industries and waste generation

Issues East Coast West Coast Total

No. of industries (large and medium) 75 233 308
No. of aquaculture farms 138 - 138
Industrial effluents (in million cubic m./day) 0.50 0.85 1.35
Waste generated from aquaculture farms 2.37 - 2.37
(in million cubic m./day)
Industrial solid waste (tonnes/day) 19,834 14,642 34,476
(Source: Roy and Ghosh, 2009)
 State-wise industries and waste generation
Issue Guj MH Goa Kar Kera TN Pon AP Oris WB
No. of
industries
35 167 2 3 26 30 4 30 4 7
(large
and
medium)

No. of
aquacultu
- - - - - 20 - 88 20 10
re farms
Industrial
effluents
0.566 0.08 0.012 0.043 0.151 0.125 0.006 0.35 0.001 0.022
(in million
cubic
m./day)
Waste
generated - - - - - 0.253 - 2.116 - -
from
aquacultur
e farms (in
million
cubic
m./day)

Industrial
solid
9506 2628 1.4 76 2431 9112 1.25 7191 3505 25
waste
(tonnes/d
ay)
(Source: Roy and Ghosh, 2009)
 Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)
CRZ-I: Ecologically sensitive areas such as national parks, marine parks,
sanctuary, reserve forests, mangroves, coral reefs, areas close to breeding
and spawning ground of fishes and historical heritage areas inundated due
to sea level rise and global warming.
Area between low tide line and high tide line

CRZ-II: The areas that have already been developed up to and close to the
shoreline.

CRZ-III: The area that are relatively undisturbed and those which do not
belong to either category of CRZ-I or CRZ-II

CRZ-IV: Coastal stretches in A&N Islands, Lakshadweep and small islands

except those designated as CRZ-I, CRZ-II and CRZ-III
 Prohibited Activities under CRZ

Setting up of new industry and its expansion

Manufacture, handling, storage and/or disposal of hazardous
substances
Setting up and expansion of fish processing units including
warehousing
Setting up and expansion of units for disposal of wastes and
effluents except facilities required for disposal of treated effluents
Discharges of untreated sewage, effluents from industries, cities or
towns.
Dumping of solid waste
Land reclamation
Mining of sand and rocks
Construction activities in ecologically sensitive areas
 Permissible activities under CRZ

Activities that need waterfront and foreshore

Activities that need environmental clearance from MoEF

Construction activities related to defense requirements needing

foreshore

Operational construction for ports, harbours, lighthouses requiring

water frontage, jetties, shipways, wharves, docks etc.

Thermal power plants

All other activities with investments exceeding Rs.50 million

Thanks