Image Source: Social

India has taken significant steps to protect its marine species and ecosystems, with a focus on conservation efforts along its coasts and islands. The government’s actions, which range from legal protections to financial support for coastal states, aim to ensure the survival of threatened marine species, including turtles, corals, and dugongs, and to preserve crucial habitats like mangroves and sea grasses.

The government has established a network of protected marine areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which includes regions across coastal states and islands. These areas provide safe havens for marine species, allowing them to thrive without the threat of hunting or habitat destruction. Several threatened marine species, including certain turtles and whales, are listed in Schedules I and II of the Act, affording them the highest level of protection from hunting and poaching.

In addition, the government has empowered the Indian Coast Guard to take action against violations of the Act, including entering, searching, arresting, and detaining those involved in illegal activities that harm marine life. These legal tools are essential for the enforcement of conservation laws and the protection of marine habitats.

National Action Plans and Funding Support for Conservation

To further bolster conservation efforts, the government has introduced a National Marine Turtle Action Plan aimed at protecting marine turtles and their nesting grounds. The Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines, released in 2021, offer protocols for responding to incidents involving stranded or entangled marine animals, such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles.

In 2019, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification was revised to emphasize the protection of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), including coral reefs, mangroves, sand dunes, and turtle nesting grounds. This regulation ensures that these vital ecosystems are preserved from harmful human activities, such as unregulated construction and industrial development.

Additionally, the government provides financial assistance to coastal states through schemes like the Development of Wildlife Habitats and the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, which supports conservation projects for marine species, such as the dugong in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.