Marine National Park (Gulf of Kutch)

March 31, 2023

A recent report from the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) said that an open channel carrying treated effluent from Tata Chemicals Limited plant at Mithapur and releasing it in Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary of Gulf of Kutch region may “drastically affect the inter-tidal organisms and coastal ecosystem.

About Gulf of Kutch National Park:

It is India’s first Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and first Marine National Park which were created in the Gulf of Kutch in 1980 and 1982, respectively.
It is an archipelago of 42 tropical islands along the northern coast of Jamnagar district and the southern coast of Kutch.
Some of the finest coral reef fringe islands are found at Pirotan, Narala, Ajad and Positara, with species of hard and soft coral.
Fauna: There are 7 species of mangrove which are breeding grounds for colonies of near-threatened species of birds such as the Painted Stork, Darter and Black-necked Ibis. Endangered Sea Turtles like the Green Sea, Oliver Riddley & Leather Back can also be found here.

Source : CAG: Tata Chemicals’ open channel may affect the national park ecosystem