Description: | East Coast Research and Development ECRD
is a Public charitable Trust,registered under Tamilnadu Trust Act,Govt.Reg.No:97/IV/02, constituted for the purpose of Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Gulf of Mannar and the Fish workers who are dependent on the Sea for their livelihood and sustenance. It is located in Thoothukudi Town. It focuses its activity Primarily in the two Districts of Thoothukudi(Tuticorin) and Tirunelveli in Tamilnadu, South India and wishes to extend its activity to Kanyakumari and Ramanathapuram Districts in the next Phase.
The Indian Govenment has declared the Gulf of Mannar as a National Marine Park Or Biosphere reserve in1989.The UN council for Environment has Issued directives for the Protection of the Same.The Gulf of Mannar (GOM) reserve encompasses 21 coastal islands. It consists of 3600 species of Plants and animals ,Making it biologically one of the richest coastal regions in South and South East Asia. It has biophysical and ecological uniqueness, economic, social, cultural and Scientific importance and the management compatibility at the local and the national level.
Protecting the Gulf's extensive and diverse assemblage of Sea grass. Six of the World's twelve sea grass genera and eleven of the world's 50 species occur here. The GOM has the highest concentration of sea grass species along India's 7500 km coastline. The sea grass beds are some of the largest remaining feeding grounds for the globally endangered Marine Mammal Dugong, which is also living in this reserve.
All five species of Marine Turtles - Green - Loggerhead, Olive ridley, Hawksbill and Leather back have been nesting on the Islands. Many Species of Crusta-oceans, Mollusks, Gastropods and fish have inhabited the sea grass beds. More over ,It harbours a total of 117 Species of Coral belonging to 37 genera. Coral reefs serve as the spawing grounds for fisheries and Sea grass beds as nursery grounds and Mangroves as shelters from a unique component of life - support systems of coastal biodiversity that relates global benefits and Local needs.
ECRD is concerned about the Protection of Gulf of Mannar from Environmental And Industrial Pollution. There are lot of Industries which dump their waste ,chemical effluents in to the sea.We are concentrating on creating awareness to the Public and the School children (The future generation),about the coral reefs and the Precious life ,Wealth of GOM by conducting ECO CLUBS/Nature clubs, Primarily in the coastal village schools of the two districts and then to extend it to the Entire schools and colleges of two districts.
Such rare species are endangered due to environmental and Industrial pollution. We are much worried about the impact of environmental, Industrial pollution on the GOM. Due to such activities there is sea erosion, less catch of fish, depletion & fish, etc. As there is less catch of fish,to compensate the loss, Few fish workers try to damage the coral reefs, and loot them out to market. We are reporting such illegal activities to government officials to initiate necessary Action against them. On the other hand, we are conscientising them about the importance and the vitality of coral reefs.
We are also conducting Eco-Clubs in 100 schools of costal villages and the schools of of Tirunelveli Districts where there is Plenty of Forests ,Mountains ,Western ghats and Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Forest & Koothankulam Birds' sanctuary. Both the Districts abound in Bio-Diversity. We need to extend our Eco-clubs to other schools and colleges of coastal and Interior villages. We need to sensitize the issue. There is an ungent need to conscientise the young generation about the value of healthy environment and about marine life , Forest life and Wild life.
We are planning to conscientize people/public, about the wealth of Gulf of Mannar and the Importance of Protecting Forests by erecting Advertisement news boards in the streets, wall writing, Distributing pamphlets, conducting cultural programs, conducting quiz competitions for school children, by commemorating the world environment day and International fish workers day in a grand manner. We need to give awareness to them at different levels. This is an urgent task as the Coral reefs are at high risk.
There is Sea erosion.It is on the increase due to illegal Garnet sand mining & looting of coral reefs and loss of Mangroves.We understand that Mangroves play a vital role in protecting the eco system and controlling sea erosion.We would like to cultivate and plant Mangroves along Tuticorin and Tirunelveli coastal villges.
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