Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Government of India has implemented various measures to conserve marine species
Steps Taken by the Government for Conservation of Marine Species:
| Steps Taken | Details |
| 1) Protected Areas | Designation of 130 Marine Protected Areas and identification of 106 Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) for safeguarding marine species. |
| 2) Scheduled Animals | Listing of many threatened marine species as Scheduled animals in the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. |
| 3) IDWH Scheme | Prioritization of threatened species like marine turtles, humpback whales, and Dugongs for assessment and monitoring under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH) scheme. |
| 4) Dugong Conservation Reserve | Establishment of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay for the conservation of Dugongs and seagrass-associated marine species. |
| 5) National Marine Turtle Action Plan | Release of the National Marine Turtle Action Plan with the aim to conserve marine turtles and their habitats in India. |
| 6) Project Dolphin | Launch of Project Dolphin in 2021 as a government initiative to conserve both oceanic and riverine dolphin species. |
| 7) Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 | Promulgation under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, focusing on conservation and management plans of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) like Mangroves, Seagrasses, Sand dunes, Corals, Coral reefs, Turtle nesting grounds, etc. |
| 8) Biological Diversity Act 2002 | Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and associated rules to ensure the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of marine species. |
| 9) Financial Assistance | Granting funds under centrally sponsored schemes to maritime states for the conservation of Corals and Mangroves. CAMPA funds provided for Dugong conservation. |
| 10) Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) | An attached office under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is mandated with the development of management strategies for marine living resources through ecosystem monitoring and modelling activities. |
| 11) Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines, 2021 | Release of guidelines for actions during stranding and entanglement events, improving coordination between stakeholders. |
