The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, in the south-eastern tip of Tamil Nadu, could soon be named as a Ramsar site.
Spread across 560 sq. km and comprising 21 islands, the park is a repository of 4,223 species of marine flora and fauna.
“Enriched with habitats such as coral reefs, sea grass, mangroves, estuaries, rocky shores and sandy beaches, it clearly tops the list of wetlands to figure in the Ramsar convention on wetlands,” said T.K. Ashok Kumar, Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.
Apart from over 170 species of coral reefs and 150 species of seaweeds, 11 species of mangroves and 14 species of sea grass are found here.
It is a habitat for marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, he said.
Park officials are busy compiling the details to be uploaded on the website of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.
“We will be sending the report to the State government within a week,” Mr. Ashok said.
