Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Marine National Park in Tamil Nadu, India.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a marine protected area along the coast of Tamil Nadu with 21 islands that shelter coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. The islands are scattered between Rameswaram and Tuticorin and protect three different habitats where sea turtles nest and dolphins swim in the shallow waters.
The park was created in 1980 and designated a national protected area six years later to stop overfishing and preserve coral reefs from damage. The region then became the first marine biosphere reserve in South Asia and serves as a model for other protected areas along the Indian coast.
Fishermen share their knowledge about the waters with visitors, showing what seafood they catch and how they work sustainably as their families have done for generations. Along the coast, small shrines dedicated to the saints of seafarers reflect the deep connection between the villages and the sea.
Glass-bottom boat trips leave from Mandapam and Rameswaram between October and March when the water is clear and you can see the coral beneath the surface. It is best to go early in the morning when the sea is calm and more marine life is active.
Among the reefs lives the sea cow, a large gentle animal that feeds on seagrass and has been described as a mermaid in ancient seafarer tales for centuries. The islands also host rare bioluminescent algae that glow at night in the shallow water, emitting a green light with every movement.
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