Data Zone
Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: A total of 86 waterbirds was recorded in the salt works, and 80 species on the islands and coasts along the Gulf (Naik et al. 1991). With its long coastline, broad intertidal mudflats, coral reefs, sand and rock beaches, the Marine NP offers a great diversity of habitats for birds. Immense numbers of migratory birds pass through the Park and others parts of the Gulf of Kutch, and a small population of most of the species, mainly juveniles and non-breeding adults, spend the summer here (Naik et al. 1991). Marine NP is an important region as it borders the Little and Great Ranns (both IBAs) that hold the only breeding populations of Greater Phoenicopterus ruber and Lesser P. minor Flamingos, White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta in the country, and a very large number of both species of flamingos spend most of the year along its coast. There are 42 islands in the Marine National Park, with Pirotan as the star attraction. Some of these islands have colonies of breeding birds such as the Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Great Egret Casmerodius albus, Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Little Heron Butorides striatus, Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (Naik et al. 1991). Globally threatened species include the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, and Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis. Much more than 20,000 waterbirds congregate here regularly so the site fulfils A4iii criteria. The Marine National Park is perhaps one of the few sites which also fulfils A4iv criteria of BirdLife International (undated), i.e. the site is known or thought to exceed thresholds set for migratory species at bottleneck sites. A very large number of birds pass through this site, on way to their onward migration.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Of the 42 islands, 33 have coral reefs and these with the mangroves along the coast and the intertidal areas, support several species of marine biota. Studies carried out by various institutions record 70 species of sponges, 56 species of hard and soft corals, 180 species of fishes, 27 species of prawns, 30 species of crabs, more than 200 species of molluscs, over 12 species of echinoderms, 5 species of annelids, many species of reptiles including three species of endangered sea turtles and more than three species of sea mammals, namely Dugong Dugong dugon, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis and Whale Physeter catodon (Singh 1998).
Pollutants from ship breaking yards, ships, offshore oil terminals, discharge from industries and thermal power plants, and other pollutants brought in by rivers accumulate in the intertidal area of the Sanctuary and National Park. People from the 56 surrounding villages and other areas fish and collect oysters, snails, and algae from the area. Offshore oil terminals and refineries have been constructed despite opposition from the Forest Department and environmentalists. The Government of Gujarat plans to allow more industries along the coasts, after denotifying parts of the national park. This is the biggest long-term threat to this IBA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Marine National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/marine-national-park-and-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/11/2024.