06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

catch in 1997-98. This leads to the inevitable
conclusion of over-exploitation of the stock of
quality fish in the shelf area off Gujarat.
e. Marine mammals & reptiles :
This is one of the important groups of fauna in the
Gulf of Kachchh. The marine mammals in the Gulf
of Kachchh consist of dolphins, porpoises and
dugongs. Dugongs commonly known as sea cow,
has become rare and is threatened in this region.
The past studies in this area show that this
species has fair population record. But, due to
unregulated fishing activities and growing
anthropogenic pressures, it~ population is under
stress.
The reptile fauna of the Gulf of Kachchh consists
of three speCies of turtles and four species of sea
snakes. All the turtles are now under threatened
category and needs attention for their
conservation. Many turtles were seen dead on the
beaches of islands during the recently completed
study on MNP & S (GEER 2002). The sea snakes
are quite common in the Gulf of Kachchh water.
Many times they get entangled in the fishing nets
and their bite is fatal.
iii. Threatened species
In fact, all the marine flora and fauna comes
under threatened category but the checklist is
prepared according to local status of individuals
(see Annex. - XIII).
iv. Conservation values
a. NurseI;Y/breeding ground:
The various ecosystems in the Gulf of Kachchh as
well as the surrounding areas acts as a nursery
and breeding ground for various faunal species.
Coral reefs are considered to be a nursery and
breeding ground for many of the invertebrates,
algae, plankton, etc., which provide the feed for
many fishes and prawns. This fishes and prawns
helps the local fishermen to yield better through
their catch. The mangrove ecosystem through
their creeks also provides a nursery and breeding
ground for many commercially important prawns
species. Many waterfowl also prefer to make their
nests on mangroves. Mangroves are considered to
be an important site for bird nesting. The salt pans
surrounding the Gulf of Kachchh even provides
various birds their nesting area as it is away from
public interference. The sandy beaches and scrub
vegetation on the coast also provides nesting sites
for many coastal birds.
Gulf of Kachchh
b. Eco-tourism :
As. such this area is not popular for eco-tourism
due to the adverse environmental conditions,
difficulty in accessibility of many locations and
lack of facilities for the visitors in lodging and
boarding. But the efforts made by the authorities
of the Marine National Park & Sanctuary on
Jamnagar coast are appreciable. Since the
formation of MNP & S, Nature Education Camps
are conducted for local school children at various
locations for the awareness of marine life. Some
other non-governmental organisations are also
engaged in the same activity at Bet Dwarka.
c. Heritage values :
Some of the area along the Gulf of Kachchh has
very important heritage value. One of the
important sites is Dwarka and Bet Dwarka which
is one of the 'Dham' has lot of mythological
importance in Hindu religion. This place has
always been major a attraction for pilgrimage. The
Bet Dwarika has some basis for the underwater
mythological story which has been proven by
recent archeological exploration by the National
Institute of Oceanography. They have explored the
submerged 'Dwarika Nagari' of Lord Krishna.
This is one of the important heritage value in this
area.
Beside this, the past emperor of Navanagar State,
His Excellency Shri. Jam Saheb, built various
palaces and some important. buildings in the
vicinity of Jamnagar area which also have
heritage values.
t/. r#lter transport:
As such there is no regular passenger traffic in
between the main channel of the Gulf of Kachchh
as well as among the different islands over there
except for Bet Dwarka. These boat services are
available from Okha port exclusively for
pilgrimage. Otherwise other islands' have been
visited only by Forest Department for vigilance
and monitoring purposes and also by the
fishermen. Mainly fishermen boats are engaged in
water transport. The commercial transport in the
water is seen at major ports and most of the newly
begun SBM of oil refineries. Many barges,
commercial ships and oil tankers can be seen at
Kandla, Navlakhi, Okha and Mundra ports. The
regular ship traffic is also available for the
transport of domestic goods from Salaya port
towards the Middle East countries and Africa.
e. Research & Education:
Various nearby institutions and universities are
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