New Delhi- India has significantly stepped up its efforts to conserve marine species by implementing a series of impactful legal, strategic, and financial measures. These steps reflect a growing national commitment to protect the country’s rich oceanic biodiversity and address the multiple threats facing marine ecosystems.
A strong foundation for marine species conservation has been established through the creation of protected zones along coastal states and islands under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. Many marine species considered at risk have been included in the highest protection categories of this Act, providing them strict legal safeguards against hunting and exploitation.
In 2022, a critical amendment to the Act empowered the Indian Coast Guard with authority to search, arrest, and detain in case of violations, enhancing enforcement in coastal regions. This added a robust legal arm to marine conservation efforts.
To address specific marine life issues, several focused plans have also been rolled out in recent years. The National Marine Turtle Action Plan, launched in 2021, aims to ensure the survival of vulnerable turtle species and their nesting habitats. The same year, the government also introduced Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines to deal effectively with cases of marine animals like whales and dolphins getting stranded or entangled along coastlines.
The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification of 2019, issued under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, further outlines the need to conserve ecologically sensitive coastal areas such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, biologically active mudflats, and turtle nesting grounds. It emphasizes integrated management plans for these fragile zones, aligning environmental protection with coastal development.
Project Dolphin, a flagship conservation program launched in 2021, reflects the country’s commitment to protecting both marine and freshwater dolphin populations. Through this initiative, efforts are being made to monitor and conserve dolphin habitats and curb threats like pollution, net entanglement, and habitat degradation.
Financially, the central government continues to back these efforts by extending funding support to coastal states and union territories through various centrally sponsored schemes. Under the Wildlife Habitat Development Scheme, financial aid has been provided to key coastal states such as Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat to support the conservation of marine species and their ecosystems. Substantial funding was also allocated under the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) to protect Dugongs, a threatened marine mammal, and its seagrass habitat.
Additionally, funds have been channeled specifically toward conserving coral reefs and mangrove forests, both of which play vital roles in supporting marine biodiversity and shielding coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.
This information was presented by the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. His statement highlighted both the government’s proactive stance and its continued investment in protecting the ocean’s diverse life forms through targeted policies and coordinated action.
