Check out these marine national parks in India
India is home to many marine national parks. A marine park is typically a protected area with a body of water (portion of a sea or lake) set aside to maintain a particular habitat and ensure a sustainable ecology for all the animals that reside there. Here is a list of the six marine national parks that features coral reefs, and rich marine life.
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Established in 1996, this marine national park in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is spread over three islands of Ritchie's archipelago. In this park, visitors can witness coral reefs, lagoons, beaches, and mangrove forests as well as get up and close with crocodiles, leatherback turtles, and olive ridley turtles. A population of fruit-eating bats and other unique species also reside in the park.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Odisha
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is Odisha's first and only marine sanctuary. Interestingly, this sanctuary is the only preferred nesting spot of the olive ridley turtle anywhere by the Indian Ocean. Covering an area of 1,435 square kilometers, this marine park is home to a variety of flora and fauna such as barking deer, wild boar, bear, leopard, crocodile, jungle fowl, sambar, and wild dogs.
Malvan Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra
Situated in the coastal town of Maharashtra's Sindhudurg, Malvan Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 29.22 square kilometers. The main attraction of this national park is the dolphins galloping in the waters. The park is also home to seaweed, anemones, mollusks, pearl oyster, and corals, among a large variety of fish. The park allows visitors to go snorkeling and diving.
Marine National Park, Gujarat
The first-ever Marine National Park in Gujarat, the park is home to over 52 species of corals, birds, and seven different types of mangroves. This National Marine Park, created between 1980 and 1982, is spread across 42 dispersed islands in an archipelago. Some of the most popular islands in Marine National Park are Poshitra, Pirotan, Karubhar, and Narara.
Gulf Of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is composed of 21 small islands and adjacent coral reefs. The park forms a part of the world's third-largest oceanic divisions. Located about 10 kilometers from Tamil Nadu's east coast, this national park is home to a wide variety of plants and animals - including seahorses, sea cucumber, pearl oysters, and other vulnerable species of marine life.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Set up in 1983, this marine park houses 15 rocky islands with beautiful sandy beaches and tropical vegetation. Adventurers can explore this area via scuba diving or even by taking a ride on a glass-bottom boat. This marine national park also boasts more than 270 kinds of beautiful birds, like the Andaman teal and parakeet, in addition to marine life.
