Mainstreaming Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation into Production Sectors in Sindhudurg Coast in Maharashtra
What the Project is About
Photo: Prashanth Vishwanathan/UNDP IndiaThe project, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and financed by the Global Environment Facility, aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation into Sindhudurg coastal district’s production sectors. It also seeks to generate awareness among local communities on biodiversity conservation amidst the threat of unsustainable fishing practices, rising pollution from fishing vessels and maritime traffic in the region.
Achievements
Photo: N Vasudevan/UNDP India- A Mangrove and Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation has been established in the state of Maharashtra in order to bring in continuation of the key activities initiated under the Project, as well as considering the need for the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity along the coast of Maharashtra.
- Biodiversity inclusive Fisheries Plan for Sindhudurg Coast prepared and is under implementation; Joint Patrolling, being one of the activituy in the Plan initiated by the Fisheries and Forest Departments.
- Square mesh net at the cod end of trawl nets adopted by all (317) trawlers in Sindhudurg District.
- To encourage the people of coastal Sindhudurg to mangrove conservation, mangrove crab farming initiated with 28.5 acres of land in 15 villages brought under crab farming and 149 beneficiaries trained in mangrove crab farming.
- An expedition to Angria Bank to study the living marine resources successfully completed and
a documentary prepared. The study reflects presence of 160 identified species including 53 coral species, 18 fish species, 9 seaweed species, 9 echinoderms. 18 species were recorded which are yet to be identified, which includes 6 coral species. - Four encounters of Bryde’s whale and one encounter of a mother-calf pair of Blue Whale recorded, and 561 individuals of Indo-pacific humpback dolphins identified in Sindhudurg waters, under the Cetacean Population Assessment project. Systematic collection of baseline data for beaching and stranding of cetaceans initiated, under which 19 incidents of beaching have been recorded.
- 100,000 mangrove saplings planted to rehabilitate 20 ha. of degraded mangrove area; 98000 mangrove saplings of RET species were raised. Digitized maps of mangroves in Sindhudurg region prepared.
- 40 Biodiversity Management Committees formed under the project and creation of 8 People’s Biodiversity Register initiated.
- 25 mussel and oyster farming units set up with women SHG groups. System of Rice Intensification (improved crop production technique) implemented in 1000 acres of paddy land leading to increased income of local farmers, in all resulting in 739 individuals being shifted to additional livelihood options, to reduce pressure on biodiversity.
- Rehabilitation of degraded coral sites through transplantation of coral using artificial substrates and native coral species undertaken. Enhancing biodiversity of coral reef through deployment of
250 artificial reefs building blocks undertaken. - The “Sindhudurg Clean Beach Campaign” launched across 29 beaches along the Sindhudurg coast; Comprehensive solid waste management plan prepared for 185 villages and Sindhudurg Fort and Vijaydurg Fort declared as ‘No plastic Zone’.
- Awareness workshops conducted regularly to sensitize fisheries department staff on biodiversity conservation; Small-scale fishermen sensitized about biodiversity inclusive sustainable marine fishing practices.
- Capacity building of representatives of production sector, conservation sector as well as the livelihood sector carried out, including 929 fishermen trained in sustainable fisheries management practices and 3293 farmers trained in SRI.
Funding Support by
| Donor Name | Amount Contributed |
| Global Environment Facility (GEF) | US$ 3,438,294 |
Expenditure in Previous Fiscal Years
| Year | Amount |
| 2016 | US$ 463,404 |
| 2015 | US$ 795,772.94 |
| 2014 | US$ 927,421 |
| 2013 | US$ 592,573 |
| 2012 | US$ 82,450 |
| 2011 | Nil |
Videos
| Mainstreaming Marine Biodiversity in Sindhudurg Watch how new cultivation techniques are helping crab and oyster farmers of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra increase their incomes, while conserving the rich biodiversity of the area |
| Fishing for the Future A majority of people living in the coastal region of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra rely on fishing for livelihood. Watch how newly adopted sustainable fishing technology, introduced by UNDP and Government of Maharashtra, has drastically reduced unwanted catch and is conserving the region’s rich marine biodiversity |
Photo Essay
People and Seas: Coastal and Marine Biodiversity in Sindhudurg
Sindhudurg , on the coast of Maharashtra is one of 11 ecologically critical habitats in India. Since 2011, a UNDP partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the government of Maharashtra, is supporting efforts to conserve the enormous biodiversity wealth of the coastal area. The partnership is supported by the Global Environment Facility.
In the News
- Malvan youth, now scuba divers, clean up coastline of ghost fish nets
[Date: 24 July 2017, Source: The Indian Express]
- In Vengurla, fisherwomen turn mangrove tour guides
[Date: 18 July 2017, Source: The Indian Express]
- Fishermen in India Use New Nets for Healthier Oceans
[Date: 5 June 2017, Source: Associated Press]
- Maharashtra to build marine animal rescue centre along coast to reduce beaching
[Date: 27 May 2017, Source: Hindustan Times]
- Maharashtra's Sindhudurg is India's cleanest mini paradise
[Date: 11 September 2016, Source: The Economic Times]
- Fishing in Maharashtra coast taking a toll on sea snakes
[Date: 13 June 2016, Source: DNA]
- A Whole New World
[Source: Highlights Champs]
- Government to use data, experts to handle mammal strandings
[Date: 26 February 2016, Source: The Asian Age]
- Artificial coral reef launched in Malvan Sea
[Date: 24 January 2016, Source: Maharashtra Times]
- Discovery of dolphins expected to boost Sindhudurg tourism
[Date: 12 January 2016, Source: The Financial Express]
- UNDP Brings Scuba Training for Sindhudurg Coast Locals
[Date: 09 January 2015, Source: Mumbai Mirror]
- Maharashtra: Government launches artificial coral reef project in Malvan
[Date: 30 December 2015, Source: DNA]
- Konkan fisherwomen make sustainable profitable
[Date: 13 December 2015, Source: The Times of India]
- Biologists identify 569 dolphins in Sindhudurg; numbers could be higher
[Date: 07 December 2015, Source: The Indian Express]
- Coral Site Found in Arabian Sea Off Konkan Coast
[Date: 30 September 2015, Source: NDTV]
- Officials Lay Stress on Whale Shark Protection
[Date: 31 August 2015, Source: The Hindu]
- India’s Great Barrier Reef?
[Date: 23 August 2015, Source: The Indian Express]
- Sindhudurg: Green Crab Cultivation Yields Rich Harvest
[Date: 23 August 2015, Source: The Indian Express]
- Sindhudurg’s Mangrove Cover Increasing, Reveals Study
[Date: 08 August 2015, Source: Hindustan Times]
- Seafood Companies See Big Bucks in Mangrove Crab Exports
[Date: 30 July 2015, Source: The Economic Times]
- Rs 6,000 Investment and 15 Months Later, 10 Women Reap Rich Dividends from Oysters
[Date: 30 June 2015, Source: The Indian Express]
- Without Research, Dolphin Deaths Continue to Puzzle Marine Biologists, Experts
[Date: 01 June 2015, Source: Mumbai Mirror]
- Blue Whales Spotted Off Sindhudurg Coast After 100 Yrs
[Date: 22 May 2015, Source: Business Standard]
- Maharashtra to Protect Whale Sharks
[Date: 29 May 2015, Source: The Hindu]
- Centre Ties Up with UNDP to Hold Whale Shark Workshop
[Date: 25 May 2015, Source: DNA]
- Blue Whales Spotted Off Sindhudurg Coast After 100 Years
[Date: 22 May 2015, Source: DNA]
- First Time in 100 years: Blue Whales Spotted Off Sindhudurg Coast in Maharashtra
[Date: 22 May 2015, Source: Firstpost]
- Blue Whales Spotted Off Maharashtra Coast After 100 Years
[Date: 22 May 2015, Source: Kashmir Mirror]
- Scientists Spot Blue Whale off Indian Coast After 100 Years
[Date: 22 may 2015, Source: Indileak]
- Blue Whales Spotted Off Maharashtra Coast After 100 Years
[Date: 21 May 2015, Source: Zee News]
- Blue Whale Returns to Maharashtra Waters, Last Sighting was in 1914
[Date: 21 May 2015, Source: The Indian Express]
- World’s Largest Mammal Spotted Off Maharashtra Coast
[Date: 21 May 2015, Source: Odisha Samay]
- Maharashtra: Blue whales spotted off Sindhudurg coast after 100yrs
[Date: 21 May 2015, Source: The Hindustan Times]
- MPEDAs Maharashtra crab farming project a success
[Date: 11 May 2015, Source: The Fish Site]
- Managing Coastal Resources
[Date: 18 December 2014, Source: The Hindu]
- Puri Farmers Find Ray of Hope in Floating Garden
[Date: 03 July 2014; Source: The Pioneer]
- India has Grown a Bit More Green
[Date: 11 May 2014, Source: The Hindu]
- Strike a Balance Between Conservation, Development, Forest Official Says
[Date: 11 May 2014, Source: The Times of India]
- Call for Beach Nourishment to Arrest Soil Erosion
[Date: 11 May 2014, Source: The Hindu]
- Mangrove cell Lines Up Projects to boost marine ecosystem off Sindhudurg Coast
[Date: 31 December 2013, Source: The Indian Express]
- Konkan to get Village-level Biodiversity Action Plans
[Date: 28 January 2013, Source: Down to Earth]
- Sindhudurg: Callous Tourists Cause Pollution
[Date: 16 January 2013, Source: The Asian Age]
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