The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is the first marine biosphere reserve in Southeast Asia. It covers an area of 10,500 sq km. The core area of the marine national park is of about 560 sq km from Rameswaram to Tutucorin. The destination includes the coast of Rameswaram, Tutucorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. The biosphere reserve comprises 21 islands with estuaries, mudflats, beaches, forests of sea grasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves. These islands are one to 21 km away from the mainland coast.
The coastal areas of the biosphere reserve are dotted with 125 villages, mostly comprising of the Marakeyars community who are primarly fishermen. Conservation has been one of the concern areas here due to the large human population base along with destruction caused by mechanised fishing boats, dynamite fishing and other environmentally adverse activities.
Wildlife attractions
Of the 3600 flora and fauna species found here, the endangered ones include the sea cow (Dugong dugong) and six mangrove species. The Dugong is the flagship mammal of the marine national park. Some of the other best known inhabitants are – Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, finless porpoise, green sea turtle, spinner dolphin, common dolphin. Sea-horse, sea-cucumber, sea-anemone are also found common here. There are many endangered marine turtle species like Green turtle, Olive Ridley turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Leatherback turtle and Loggerhead turtle. As many as 510 fin fish species inhabit the waters including many coral ornamental fishes.
Permits: Tourists can hire glass bottom boats from Mandapam. Visitors are not allowed on the islands.
When to visit: Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a year-long destination.
Accommodation: There are many hotels in Manadapam.
How to reach:
Air: Madurai (150 km) is the nearest airport.
Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Mandapam and Tuticorin.
Road: Buses are available from Ramanathapuram and Rameshwaram.
