KAYAKING EXPEDITION IN GULF OF MANNAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE BY INDIAN COAST GUARD
Chennai 13 January 2023
KAYAKING EXPEDITION IN GULF OF MANNAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE
BY INDIAN COAST GUARD
As run up to its 47th Raising Day on February 1, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam conducted Gulf of Mannar Kayaking Expedition consisting of 25 participants from Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Forest Department and fisher folks from 10 to 12 Jan 23. The expedition was 47 Km long and it started from Kunthukal beach cover ing Krusadai Island, Pullivial Island, Pulli Island, Manauli Island, Musal Tivu Island and Dipu Sagar Island in Gulf o f Mannar Biosphere Reserve to symbolize 47th glorious years of service by ICG. The main aim of the expedition was to create awareness amongst the coastal populace on the importance of Env ironmental Management and pr otection in the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
The Gu lf of Mannar endowed with three distinct Coastal ecosystems namely coral reef, seagrass bed and mangr oves is considered one of the world’s richest regions from a marine biodiversity perspective, and is also known fo r its un ique biological wealth and is a store house of marine diversity of global significance. The Gulf’s 4,223 spe cies of plants and animals representing from primitive to higher forms make it one of the ric hest coastal regions in Indi a. The ICG is playing a very important role in the preservation of marine life in the are a and apprehends a ny person or vessel that carries protected marine species. The expedition was also intended to sensitize the co astal pop ulation and fishermen on safety, security, and environmental issues at sea The exped ition also invoked the feeli ng of patriotism in sync with ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’.
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PS/RMP/01/23
