CORDIO Status Report 1999.pdf

has been a consequent lack of trained, dedicated manpower
for managing coral reef-related resources and
protected areas. Management regimes in the three
marine national parks, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch
and Andamans (Wandur), have historically been
relatively successful in suppressing major anthropogenic
causes of degradation such as coral mining. However,
less overt sources of degradation such as high nutrient
levels and sedimentation continue to erode the condition
of reef environments. In recent years, the profile of, and
priority accorded to, coral reefs and other coastal
resource issues has increased significantly.
In the Maldives, reef researchers in the Marine
Research Section monitor the status of reefs, but with
their limited resources it is difficult to cover all areas.
Implementation of some of the laws on coral mining
and other reef related fisheries has also proved to be
difficult, due to lack of manpower.
In Pakistan there is increasing awareness of the need
for conservation of coastal resources, and plans for
marine protected areas are under development, with
support from IUCN.
Coral reef management in Sri Lanka is poor, despite
government departments with a mandate to manage
and conserve reef resources (Rajasuriya et al., 1995;
Rajasuriya & White, 1995; De Silva, 1997). A number of
projects carried out in the past have come up with
publications containing management plans and action
plans, but most of the actions recommended in these
plans have not been implemented. The Special Area
Management Projects carried out at Hikkaduwa
Marine Sanctuary and the Rekawa lagoon with support
from USAID have not been sustained after the projects
were completed in 1996. These two areas have now
begun to revert back to their former status. The Bar
Reef Marine Sanctuary was declared in 1992, but steps
needed to safeguard the coral reefs within the sanctuary
have not been taken. Implementation of laws protecting
the marine environment is difficult due to lack of
alternative employment, trained personnel, financial
resources and equipment. Poverty, lack of job opportunities
and the absence of alternative livelihoods also
makes it difficult to implement conservation laws and
regulations, especially with regard to fisheries activities.
In South Asia, there is a clear upward trend in reef
management and conservation of coral reef resources,
although it is a slow process. Many governments are
willing to increase their capabilities in the management
and conservation of coral reef resources. Conservation
of coral reefs is also a stated policy in resource management
plans in all of the coastal states in South Asia.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank the following individuals for their
invaluable contribution to this report. Mr S. M. Munjurul
Hannan Khan (Bangladesh); Dr E. V. Muley, Dr
M. V. M. Wafar, Dr K. Venkataraman, Dr R. Soundararajan
(India) and Mr Prasantha Dias Abeygunawardene
(SACEP). We also wish to thank UNESCO/IOC,
UNEP, DFID, GCRMN, ICRI, IUCN and SACEP for
assisting the South Asia region. Any errors or opinions
stated in the report remain the responsibility of the
authors.
REFERENCES
Ali, A.T. (1997). Status of Communities in the Four Atolls: Their
Perceptions, Problems and Options for Participation. Proc. Workshop
on Integrated Reef Resources Management in the Maldives, BOBP/
REP/76, Bay of Bengal Programme, Madras, 197-210
Arthur R and Madhusan (in prep.). El Nino Southern Oscillation-related
bleaching of live corals in Lakshadweep. Draft report by centre for
Ecological Research and Conservation.
Brown, B.E. (1997). Integrated Coastal Management: South Asia.
Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, University
of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Coastal Conservation Department (CCD) (1990). Coastal Zone Management
Plan. CCD and Coastal Resources Management Project of the
University of Rhode Island, Colombo, 81p.
Coastal Conservation Department (CCD) (1997). Revised Coastal Zone
Management Plan Coast Conservation Department, Ministry of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Colombo, 121p.
Dayaratne, P., Linden, O and De Silva, M.W.R.N. (eds.) (1997). The
Puttalam/Mundel Estuarine System and Associated Coastal Waters: A
report on environmental degradation, resource management issues and
options for their solution. NARA, NARESA, Sida/SAREC Marine
Science Programme, Colombo. 98 p.
– 21 –