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Report on Lakshadweep Wetlands/coral reefs. - of Planning ...

Report on Lakshadweep Wetlands/coral reefs. - of Planning ...

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1998, 16 per cent were severely damaged as a result <strong>of</strong> EI Nino and warming<strong>of</strong> the oceans. It is expected that 32 per cent <strong>of</strong> the <strong>reefs</strong> may be lost in thenext thirty years if the threats are not reduced. Loss <strong>of</strong> healthy <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong>will lead to eliminati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> primary sources <strong>of</strong> food, income and employmentfor milli<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people around the world as well as the extincti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> manyfascinating and beautiful marine species. At the global level, manyinternati<strong>on</strong>al agencies are working together to protect and c<strong>on</strong>serve the<strong>coral</strong>s.<strong>Lakshadweep</strong> has many untouched and undisturbed virgin <strong>reefs</strong> like Suhelipar with 78.96 sq.km <strong>of</strong> lago<strong>on</strong> area, Baliyapani par with 57.46 sq.km <strong>of</strong>lago<strong>on</strong> area, Cheiyapani par with 172.59 sq.km <strong>of</strong> lago<strong>on</strong> area andPerumulpar with 83.02 sq.km <strong>of</strong> lago<strong>on</strong> area. It is recommended that <strong>on</strong>e ortwo <strong>of</strong> these lago<strong>on</strong>s which support the virgin <strong>reefs</strong> be declared as MarineNati<strong>on</strong>al Park(s) to protect and preserve the marine biodiversity for thebenefit <strong>of</strong> our future generati<strong>on</strong>s.5.7 Livelihood Opti<strong>on</strong>sExcept copra and tuna fish sale the islanders had no other livelihood. Theteam was informed that every household had <strong>on</strong>e member working for theGovernment, taking the GOI employed to over 11000. There are a number<strong>of</strong> alternative livelihood opti<strong>on</strong>s for the islanders, particularly in thefishery sector which include raising bait fish for tuna fisheries,marine ornamental fish breeding and rearing and in the tourismsector – by providing Paying Guest type accommodati<strong>on</strong> to thetourists by providing bed and food, as the accommodati<strong>on</strong> availableis grossly inadequate, The gainful utilizati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the existing resourcesand potential by the local community is <strong>of</strong> atmost importance. TheTeam therefore recommends that the <strong>Lakshadweep</strong> Administrati<strong>on</strong> dgive priority to these aspects and initiate programmes jointly withCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute, CAS in Marine Biology,Annamalai University, NIOT, etc., in the fisheries sector and with theMinistry <strong>of</strong> Tourism in the tourism sector.5.7 Awareness creati<strong>on</strong>The Team Recommends that a Knowledge Interpretati<strong>on</strong> Centre beset up at Agatti and Kavaratti islands, to create awareness am<strong>on</strong>g thelocal community including the elders, youth and children and the tourists whovisit the islands, and to educate them <strong>on</strong> the <strong>coral</strong> reef and associated13

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